A message has been received from the Dáil concerning the amendments made by the Seanad to the European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022. The message has been set down on the Order Paper. The list of the amendments made by the Seanad and considered by the Dáil has been circulated for the information of Members. The Dáil considered and agreed to amendments Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 14 to 47, inclusive. The Dáil has agreed to amendment No. 13 with a further amendment. Any Senator may move the am…

The Clerk of the Seanad will send a message to the Clerk of the Dáil clarifying the determination of the Seanad.

The Minister is very welcome. We are now resuming the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023. Senator Mullen was in possession when we previously adjourned.

We are resuming on section 3, amendment No. 3. Before Senator Mullen takes the floor, I would like to welcome the pupils of Pope John Paul II National School, Malahide, who are guests of Deputy Farrell. They are very welcome, as is the Deputy.

I should have said that amendments Nos. 3, 4 and 7 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator Mullen, can I remind you to stick to the amendments?

I ask the Senator to stick to the amendment.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the students from RehabCare in Kilkenny, who are the guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, and the students from Kells Community School, who are the guests of Deputy Damien English. I understand Senator Mullen also has two guests in the Visitors Gallery. They are all very welcome.

We are on amendments Nos. 3, 4 and 7.

I remind the Senator he is speaking to amendments Nos. 3, 4 and 7.

Before Senator Mullen continues, I welcome the students from St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny.

I raise the proposal to have the World Rally Championship held in Ireland in one of the years between 2025 and 2028. Limerick, Waterford and Kerry were successful in this regard. The decision is now before the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Byrne, and has to be signed off by Monday. The problem is that if it is not signed off by Monday, the event will move outside of Ireland. There is fierce pressure from those involved in Motorsport Ireland. I believe this event will bring huge economic be…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I ask the Acting Leader to move the suspension of the House until 2 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed. Tá an Teach críochnaithe leis na ráitis.

I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this all-important issue. I also thank Senator Currie for sharing time. I wish happy International Women's Day to everybody present and especially to my female colleagues. We will celebrate the day on Friday. International Women's Day stated in 1909 in the USA. That is quite a long time ago and the day has been celebrated for many years. The Minister in his speech referred to how far we have come in terms of gender equality and addressing gender-based violence. I pay tribu…

I welcome to the Gallery the students from Meánscoil Gharman and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir. I hope they enjoy their visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I rise today to highlight the plight of small businesses. In the past day or two, we had the Habit coffee shop and retailers closing with the loss of 22 jobs. My real concern relates to small businesses and the hospitality sector. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment needs to look at small retailers and hospitality enterprises as stand-alone concerns. Reports are showing - and I know from talking to those in industry - that bigger businesses such as engineering firms have not been affected but that sm…

We have come a long way since.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this important motion. I compliment our colleagues in the Labour Party for bringing it forward. The thrust of the motion is about stronger and safer communities. I was at a residents' meeting on Monday night and I would like to compliment our two community gardaí who attended. In the WhatsApp group for our area an issue was highlighted, and one of the gardaí visited the area as he was driving around. In some areas community policing is working but in …

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to discuss this all-important topic. My question is to do with the tenant in situ scheme and how long it takes for the AHBs to complete sales. I have been dealing with a number of people who are trying to avail of the tenant in situ scheme. One particular person who comes to mind - and this relates to Limerick City and County Council - applied in April 2023. They informed the council that they were being put out of their home because the lady who owned the prope…

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the increased funding, the increased number of houses being built and the work of the AHBs, but in the case to which I refer there are no issues relating to the house, planning or legal rights. It was tied up in the fair deal nursing home scheme. The issue is that the lady who is selling the house is now talking about pulling out of the deal as it has been going on for so long. Obviously, she wants to get probate sorted out and her relative's affairs in order. The family in …