I thank all the relevant line Ministers who are with us today. It is appreciated. We do not always get the relevant Minister to the subject matter. I think this is appreciated by the Senators so we hope that continues.

I move amendment No. 24: In page 28, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: “ Report on compliance with European Convention on Human Rights 8. (1) Any order or regulation under this Act shall comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. (2) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, and every two years thereafter, the Minister shall produce a report on the implementation of this Act regarding compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights, and taking due account of relevant judgment…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I also welcome his officials. I soldiered with them on the reform Act and the establishment of An Coimisiún Toghcháin. I recall well the discussion around six-seater constituencies when that legislation was being developed. The suggestion was certainly resisted vehemently by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The establishment of such constituencies would lead to greater diversity in our political system. It is something that should be given active consideration. It would completely elimi…

I welcome the Minister of State. I will be supporting the Government motion. I join my colleague Senator Ahearn in reflecting on the horror of the ongoing war in Ukraine. It has not dissipated. Many people living in Ukrainian cities have experienced one of the worst winters they have ever had, with attacks on energy infrastructure, extreme cold and ongoing bombardment and destruction caused by Putin and the Russian army. We can be proud of our response to date to the war in Ukraine. The measure under discussion was…

It may be of use for the Senators to note that the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy will be dealing with the issue of the salmon on the River Moy and salmon conservation more widely at a session in April. I thank the Minister of State.

Before I ask the Senator to respond, I welcome our colleague Senator Alison Comyn and her guest, Ms Kirsty King from Downpatrick, a journalist, to the Public Gallery. Ms King is very welcome and I hope she enjoys her day. She is in good hands there. I call Senator Harmon.

I welcome to the Public Gallery Darndale community training group. They are all very welcome and I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. They are guests of Deputy McDonald.

I welcome guests of Deputy Malcolm Byrne. They are very welcome to Seanad Éireann and I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House today.

I have a number of issues to raise, the first being Hughes Agriculture and Farming, which was based in Kells, County Kilkenny. Hughes grew about 12% of the carrots produced in Ireland. It was also a grower of onions and daffodils. People would see its beautiful fields in parts of Kells in County Kilkenny. The company has folded and has gone into liquidation. It was a combination of and a perfect storm of prices and supermarkets. I remember talking to its representatives a few years ago and they told me it would be …

I move amendment No. 13: In page 20, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “ “legal counselling” means the provision to an applicant of information, guidance and assistance relating to the asylum procedure, having regard to the particular circumstances of the applicant, and that is provided— (a) on an individual and in-person basis, (b) by a practicing solicitor or barrister, (c) in a language that is understood by the applicant, and includes— (i) assistance in the lodging of an application for internat…

I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 14: In the definition of “legal counselling”, after paragraph (c)(vi) to insert “legal counselling shall be tailored to the individual needs and circumstances of the applicant;”.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 23, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: “(2) A reference in this Act to a “measure of last resort” means, in relation to an adult or a child, a measure that is taken only after all non-custodial alternatives to detention have been duly considered, in accordance with Recital 33 and Article 10(2) of the Reception Conditions Directive.”. I will speak to amendments Nos. 19, 38, 49, 50, 51 and 52 in the name of the Cross-Party Group. This amendment seeks to define “measure …

I will make a few points on our amendments. Certainly I know that in cases I have been involved with in the past that fantastic local services in terms of legal advice were offered to people seeking asylum by local development partnerships, voluntary groups and NGOs. They were really useful in many cases. Interpreters had to be found locally, which brought its own challenges. This is going back several years in terms of asylum applications. It was almost a type of activity that grounded itself in local community su…

I just want to make a quick point on that and particularly in respect of our amendment No. 60. I mentioned local development partnerships previously, which are already in arrangements through SICAP funding at local level. Many people seeking asylum will find themselves in direct provision in Ballaghaderreen, Cahersiveen and Kilkenny. The local development companies already exist. I am just thinking purely from a resource point of view, for the Legal Aid Board, that there might be a mechanism in terms of legal assis…

I note the point Senator Stephenson made about the line Minister. I have written to the Cathaoirleach asking that Senators be informed if the line Minister is not available to attend.

That is noted.

I join with others in commending the ongoing work by various Departments, led by the Department of foreign affairs, on our upcoming Presidency. Before I go onto the main point I wish to speak to, I ask that the Minister of State see this as an opportunity to showcase Ireland's heritage and unique culture - our built heritage, music, art and creative practices. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland's heritage across the European Union. It is also important for some benefit to derive from this Presidency …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Is lá an-tábhachtach ar an bhféilire é Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan. Is lá é chun díriú ar an méid atá ar siúl inár sochaí ina bhfuil mná agus cailíní ar nós an t-athrú aeráide, an scrios agus an dúshaothrú. Tá mé ag iarraidh caint faoi na mná atá ag obair chun ár domhan a athrú agus a shábháil, de ghnáth ag baint óna ghnáthshaol chun é seo a dhéanamh. On this day of statements to mark International Women's Day, we have all spoken of the awesome women in our own lives and the women we…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Rinne an Rialtas dearmad mór le ceist na SNAs. Tá sé tar éis cur isteach ar thuismitheoirí, múinteoirí agus na SNAs féin. To say that the Government handled the SNA review badly could possibly be the understatement of the year. With access to advisers and civil servants, it is hard to comprehend that this matter was allowed to rumble on to the point of protests all around the country and significant upset among teaching staff, SNAs, principals and parents. I accept the statement m…

Níl aon dabht ach go bhfuil athchoiriú ag teastáil sa chóras cosanta idirnáisiúnta. There is no doubt we do need reform and certainly it is across the EU and at EU level that we need to make those changes. There can be no failure to recognise the modern nature of asylum or to plan for a system that responds to the reality of asylum, particularly in light of the volatile geopolitical situation across the world and migration that is driven by climate breakdown. The asylum and migration pact, although imperfect, is im…