I join my colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Troy. I have known him for a long time and I am quite certain that he will bring the same dynamism and curious mind to his new role as he brings to politics. This is welcome legislation but in many ways it is just catching up with the reality of how businesses had to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. As his role involves trade promotion, digital matters and company regulation, I would like the Minister of State and his Department to start preparing for t…

I agree with my colleague, Senator Cummins, about the need for a university of the south east. We have a cross-party Oireachtas group and we are united in our belief that a university for the region has to come about. We are meeting Waterford and Carlow institutes of technology on Monday and we expect them to give us a clear commitment that they will lodge an application this year. However, if they fail to take action, I ask that the Minister with responsibility for further and higher education, Deputy Harris, arra…

I join my colleague, Senator Kyne, in congratulating the Minister of State and the Minister on their appointments. This is a relatively short piece of legislation but a very important one in that it establishes what I regard as a key Department for the planning of the future of this country. It represents a real opportunity. Much of what the Government does is firefighting, but this is a chance for a Government Department to focus on long-term, evidence-based policymaking, to prepare Ireland for the convergence of …

I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Mullen and I hope we will have a debate on the human rights abuses committed by the Chinese Communist Party. I wish to focus on a number of education matters. I am sure the House will join me in welcoming the appointment of Professor Kerstin Mey as the interim president of the University of Limerick, UL. This is the first time in Ireland's long and noble history of higher education that we have had a female university president. It is something that is welco…

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that is, to take No. 3 before No. 1. I am seeking leave to introduce the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill to give effect to the seventh amendment to the Constitution, which, Members will be aware, was passed in July 1979 but never enacted. It is to extend voting rights in Seanad elections to the university panel to graduates of institutions other than those provided for, including Dublin City University, University of Limerick, Dublin Technologi…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce Bill entitled an Act to provide for the amendment of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Acts 1937 to 2006, to provide for the provisions of the seventh amendment of Bunreacht na hÉireann and to extend the franchise of the university panel of Seanad Éireann to all people who are over eighteen and are holders of an appropriate third level qualification from an Irish Institute of Higher Education and to provide for related matters.

Next Tuesday.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I join with my colleagues in congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, as I know he will do a superb job as he has a deep commitment to public service. A key element of this legislation which has been mentioned already by a number of colleagues is solidarity. European solidarity has been more important than ever. At a time when the world is facing a very disruptive period when we look at the lack of leadership being shown in the United States and indeed the polic…

I join with Senator Bacik in condemning the vile abuse, rooted in homophobia, that has been directed against the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. It is incumbent on all of us in this House to stand against the small minority in society who have little to do but engage in homophobic or, indeed, any other form of abuse. The Minister should be judged on the basis of his performance not because of what some trolls on social media decide to post about him. I agree with the comments made by my colleague, Senator Gallagher, abo…

I congratulate you, a Chathaoirligh, on your election today. I am very confident that you will be impartial and fair, and that you will stand up for this House and for its voice to be heard within the Oireachtas and more widely. I thank Mr. Martin Groves and all of his staff, not just for assisting us as new Senators but also for the conduct of the Seanad election in difficult times. It was an unusual experience for those of us who have been involved in elections to observe this election on a screen rather than to …

-----over the past year. While we have the honour of being able to sit in a Chamber such as this, it is the volunteers and those who go out to knock on the doors for whom we are really grateful. In many ways they are the heroes of democracy. Without them we would not have the democratic society that we have. I was fortunate to be nominated by the Drama League of Ireland when I was elected on the Cultural and Educational Panel. As Senator Hoey said earlier, the arts and music have been helping us through this pandem…

-----that is going to happen. The Government has a big majority, but it is still important that we hold the Government to account and that we listen to each other. I ask the Leader, in facilitating discussion over the coming weeks, to ensure we look at some of the issues that have been raised by Members. Perhaps she will set aside time to focus on those issues specifically and to look at how we as a House can collectively address some of those concerns.