Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome this very important legislation for debate on Second Stage. I am perhaps a little concerned about how long it has taken to get to this point because I think that we need this Bill yesterday. As there is a real urgency to it, I hope that we can enact it quickly and that the measures contained within it can be enforced in all of our communities. I understand that it is the intention of the Government to go further and to introduce more legislation. The Minister might indicate a …

Next Tuesday.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m.

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I propose to share time with Senator McGreehan, who is on her way. I want to welcome representatives from the National Youth Council of Ireland, NYCI, and Comhairle na nÓg from Wexford to the Gallery. Indeed, many youth organisations around the country have done a lot of work on the issue of enhancing our democracy and increasing young people's participation in the democratic process. Cuirim fáilte freisin chuig an Aire Stát. The Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, a…

Just around the world?

It has been a healthy debate which has allowed views from all sides of the House to be expressed. I was very struck by what Senator Mullen said about our future leaders. I constantly get annoyed when young people are told they are the future. Young people are as much a part of the present within Irish society. They have as much responsibility and as much right to take up leadership roles. We see this already not just with Comhairle na nÓg and various youth organisations. When we meet groups like the BT young scient…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I very much welcome the specific reference within the budget around continued increased investment on the capital side within the fire services. In County Wexford, we have a new fire station in New Ross and there are extensive plans to develop the fire station at Gorey but my primary concern is obviously around those who will staff those fire stations, the imp…

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome and strongly support the measures proposed, which the Minister of State will certainly find retained firefighters want to see implemented. What is critical is a timeframe for doing so because it is going to be very difficult to recruit 400 firefighters without a very clear timeframe for introducing all the agreed measures. It is about providing certainty for firefighters and those considering a career in this area. It is especially important for those seeking mortgages or lo…

The Ceannaire Gníomhach will be aware that there was a sentencing this week for the murders of two gay men in Sligo. I do not want to comment on the court case but it is appropriate that the House would remember the victims, Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee. Anthony Burke was also the victim of a pretty horrific assault in Sligo, and An Garda Síochána clearly identified these as hate crimes. I certainly know from talking to many friends, and the evidence is also there, that we are seeing rising levels of homophobia a…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I agree with colleagues' remarks on the legacy legislation and the importance of getting the Assembly back up and running. It is only through dialogue that we can achieve progress. I echo the concerns of my colleague, Senator Blaney, around the ecological disaster happening at Lough Neagh. This is not just something that impacts on the North; it impacts on the entire island of Ireland. It is critical that the Government takes a strong stance in trying to preserve something of impo…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. In the context of this debate, it is important, as many have done in this House, to express our strong solidarity with the people of Israel and the people of Palestine who are going through untold horrors at present. The approach as outlined by the Tánaiste has been correct and measured. It is key to avoiding further escalation that we look for a ceasefire and that international law would be followed. I agree with Senator Moynihan. There was much hope when the Oslo Accords were or…

I wish to start by agreeing with the remarks of my colleague Senator O'Loughlin on progress being reached on the resolution of the section 39 issue. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for her work in that regard. I am very conscious that the atrocities we are seeing emerging from the Middle East are overshadowing the continuing war which Russia is waging against Ukraine. This week we passed 600 days since Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine. Today, President Putin is meeting with Xi Jinping. Alliance…

I second the motion and move amendment No. 12: To delete all words after “That Seanad Éireann:” and substitute the following: - unreservedly condemns the brutal attack by Hamas in Israel on Saturday, 7th October 2023 last, indiscriminately, and systematically targeting civilians, and resulting in over 1,400 deaths; - utterly condemns the hospital bombing that occurred last evening; - echoes the call of the UN Secretary General for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of all civi…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. As this question is about artificial intelligence, AI, perhaps at some stage in the future I will not need to call the Minister of State into this House. I might be able to use some AI-enabled device which will predict or give me the answers. I know the Minister of State is deeply committed to ensuring that Ireland is prepared for the challenges and opportunities that AI and emerging technologies present. I am grateful for him having come to the House to talk about an update on Ir…

I thank the Minister of State. I very much appreciate the work he and his officials are doing on this and his assurance that the approach of the Government in availing of AI opportunities will always be person-centred. I am concerned at the level of awareness about the potential of AI and some of the challenges and threats. We need to communicate these more widely. I would welcome further discussion on an education and information campaign. There are always fears about new technology but in areas such as healthcare…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this matter. She is a champion for mental health. I know she is very much aware of the question that I am raising this morning. In September, the Mental Health Commission in its report on child and adolescent mental health services from 2022 to 2023, while it identified many positives about mental health services, sounded quite a number of alarm bells. The particular issue I raise today is about access to CAMHS in north Wexford.…

-----there were ten patients, compared with 13. I quote from the report, which states, "The difference between the number of the waiting list for South Wexford (10) and North Wexford (99) and between Tipperary team 1 (68) and Tipperary Team 2 (8) shows an inequality of access to CAMHS services dependent on where the child lives (even within the same county) and requires urgent investigation and remedy." CHO 5, as the Minister of State knows, already has the second-lowest funding per capita across all CHO areas for …

I thank the Minister of State and am glad that we are finally moving towards the appointment of that consultant. That is very welcome news today. I do not doubt the Minister of State's commitment to delivering on this service and appreciate that on the recruitment side, certain elements are outside the Minister of State's control. It is critical to get assurances now from CHO 5 that it will have the premises for this service secured in time for early 2024 and that the team are ready and able to work. I acknowledge …

I thank the Minister of State.

Before I speak about the issue I am raising I want to say that I agree with Senator Kyne concerning the need for a discussion on CAMHS. This morning I tabled a Commencement matter specifically on CAMHS. One of the difficulties is the Eircode lottery. However, it is worth noting that we now have a mental health budget of almost €1.3 billion. Much credit must go to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for her success in that regard. I certainly look forward to that discussion. In the context of yesterday's budget, o…