Yes, section 70(1). On the report on performance - and it goes back to the point I had made on this topic but it is relevant to this section as well - what is the measurement of that, who is allocated, and what are the consequences for those performance targets not being met? I know that sounds like repetition but it is in the section, and that is the point I am making on it. I know this also sounds like repetition but it goes back to the made point we made previously and it is in this section as well, in section 7…

Is the Cathaoirleach bringing the Minister in first?

Going back to a point I made previously, section 71(5) states: "The Board shall, as soon as practicable, after the approval by the Minister under subsection (3) of the governance framework, arrange for the publication of the framework on a website maintained by or on behalf of An Garda Síochána or in such other manner as the Minister may specify." It sounds like repetition but the same issue keeps coming up over and over again. The Government’s view of publication of a report means only on websites, which then, by …

I am repeating myself because-----

I am repeating myself. I am getting the same answer but I am asking the same question. It is in section 5-----

The view of Government is a publication of a report is only on a website or such other manners as the Minister may specify. What I would like as a principle is not allowable because there is no mention here that there would be subsequent statutory instruments outlining how the Minister would specify those frameworks and so on would be published. All the documents I have referred to would be published only on websites and that is a disservice to our members of the community who do not have access to the Internet.

I compliment my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, on all her hard work on this initiative, along with many others. Her lived experience is vital to the work of politicians and Departments, in Leinster House and around the country. For too long, we did not have those voices in this Chamber and the issues were not raised or progressed as a result. Change did not come because many others whose voices were not being heard as they were unable to get through the system to have their voices heard. It is because the Senato…

The question is "That section 52 stand part of the Bill."

I thank the Deputy Leader and support the Order of Business. It may be that in the new year we will have a debate on the proposals for the referendums that will take place on 8 March. We do not have a lot of time to tease out not only the legislation giving effect to that, but also how it will be implemented practically in terms of changing the constitutional references to the role of women in the home and the concept of a family. Those are important debates that we will have. As the Deputy Leader is aware from her…

I thank Senator Boyhan and the members of the group for tabling this motion. The debate is ongoing. The Council of Europe's report is stark warning of where we are, but we did not need that report to tell that local democracy is under threat in Ireland. In such a situation, democracy itself is under threat because we all see that fewer people are putting themselves forward, powers are being stripped away and, as the report from the Council of Europe said, we have a most centralised form of local government. As coll…

Dáil Éireann has passed the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023 on 29 November 2023, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has passed the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023 on 29 November 2023, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has agreed on 29 November 2023 to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022. Dáil Éireann has passed the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022 on 29 November 2023, considered by virtue of…

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the need for a refuge centre for domestic abuse victims in the Cavan-Monaghan area. Senator Lynn Ruane - The need for the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the Government’s position on the trilogue negotiations in respect of the European Union’s proposed new pact on migration and asylum. Senator Seán Kyne - The need fo…

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is most welcome to Seanad Éireann this morning. I call Senator Gallagher.

I welcome Ambassador Laurențiu-Mihai Ștefan, the Romanian ambassador to Ireland, and his counsellors who are with us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. The ambassador is most welcome today in advance of Romania's national day that celebrates that country's independence, which it achieved 105 years ago this year, I believe. Romania and Ireland are two of the many countries which utilised the turmoil of the fallout from the First World War to achieve independence. Romania is one of the many countries that secured…

Ilinca does great work 365 days of the year, as do all staff in the Seanad Office. In advance of Romania's national day and the celebration of the country's independence, the ambassador is most welcome.

Before I read out the Commencement matters, I welcome the Canadian ambassador to Ireland to the House. H.E. Nancy Smyth is organising a trade delegation to go from Leinster House to Canada. I thank her for being here; we are grateful for her presence.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Lynn Boylan - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on engagement with European colleagues on the exploitation of Palestinian natural resources under the memorandum of understanding between the EU, the State of Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt signed last year. Senator Lisa Chambers - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Rese…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I note he was in the Dáil Chamber and was supposed to be relieved of his duties there but his replacement did not show up. He is irreplaceable in any event. The first Commencement matter has been tabled by our birthday girl, Senator Lynn Boylan. Happy birthday, Senator.

Before I call the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the students from St. Gerald's College, Castlebar, County Mayo. They looked like Mayo footballers of the future, or the present, actually, when they were standing for a photograph. I wish the lads the best of luck. I hope Mayo wins the all-Ireland football final at some time in their lifetimes, although not if Mayo is playing Kerry. I thank their teachers, Tracey Flynn and Regina Duffy, for bringing them to Leinster House. We hope they enjoy their…

One of the unwritten rules of Leinster House is that students visiting should have no homework for the day, or the week, possibly. We will leave that at the discretion of the teachers. There should definitely be no homework today anyway.