I will not take the full five minutes in order to accommodate everyone. I welcome the Minister of State into what is her Chamber and the Chamber of the rest of us. It is good for politics that we have one of our own sitting at the Cabinet table. It is long overdue and already the Minister of State is doing a fantastic job. One of the first Bills to come before us in this new Seanad is an important one. I would agree with a lot of the arguments and articulations that have been expressed here today. The forestry indu…

I came in towards the end of Senator Currie's contribution. It was powerful and very much on the money. This is an appropriate and timely motion. Unfortunately, we are going through the worst pandemic in our lifetime or that of our parents. In terms of the public psyche, the problem is that there will be a loss of understanding of Brexit and of the stark reality of it because people are rightly caught up in managing their lives through this pandemic. However, Brexit is looming and it is most regrettable that the Br…

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 11 be taken ahead of No. 1. No. 11 is the State Airports (Shannon Group) (Amendment) Bill 2020, which proposes to amend the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act to facilitate the appointment of an elected member of Clare County Council to the board of the Shannon Group. Shannon Airport is in the rateable authority of Clare County Council and pays its rates to the council. However, there seems to be a lack of connectivity between the airport authority and Clare…

Yes.

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 and to provide for related matters.

On Tuesday, 22 September.

It is a fair point.

I did not speak this morning. I just want to make a quick note. On most occasions I find myself agreeing with Senator McDowell, my learned friend and good colleague. I am very clearly of the view, regarding his observations on Clifden-----

I appreciate that.

I would be in agreement; that is all I would say.

Well done to him for being brave enough to do it. More important and appropriate, I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, on his appointment. I was delighted that he picked Lahinch in County Clare for his holidays this year. I hope he enjoyed himself and that hospitality was extended to him as we would hope. It is a pity that Senator Bacik feels it necessary to press her amendment to a vote. The consensus in the Chamber is striking. The powers that will be vested in An Garda Síochána are appropri…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I warmly congratulate and tAire Stáit, Teachta Burke, on his appointment which is a well-deserved one and I will welcome him in what I believe is his first visit to the Seanad. He has a big job of work to do but no better man. This legislation is very welcome. I will pick up on one point that the Minister of State has made which is about striking a balance. This is about being fair and supportive - and rightly so - of tenants who find themselves in difficulty and in des…

I echo and support the calls for the re-establishment of the Seanad Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The previous Seanad led the way on discourse and discussion on Brexit. This issue has far from gone away, although it has probably been sidelined as a result of Covid. I certainly believe this Chamber has a significant role to play in that regard. I also echo and agree with calls for the Minister with responsibility for disability to come into the House. I was concern…

I also congratulate the Minister on her appointment. The consideration and respect she has shown me in the House over recent years reflects her commitment to equality. Having someone with that belief sitting at Cabinet can only improve equality of opportunity and access for all our citizens. I wish her well. I come from a part of the country, County Clare, that heavily relies on tourism. The last recession was very difficult and challenging but the industry that started kicking us back to economic recovery was tour…

I wish the Minister well. I stand here because I am always concerned in these cases that students with disabilities could potentially be left behind because of the challenges they suffer anyway. I refer particularly to students with vision impairments. I came across several cases during the lockdown where visiting teachers had made no contact whatever with such students. Will the Minister look at addressing such cases? I know 30 seconds is not adequate but that is life.

I agree with my colleague, Senator Dooley. I think we would all welcome a debate on the announcement yesterday. If time could be made available next week to have such a debate, that should happen. I was looking at the schedule for next week and we seem to have a gap on Wednesday morning, so perhaps that morning would be the time to have such a debate. As the Cathaoirleach will be aware, this is Farm Safety Week. In 2015, this House, through the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, an excellent committee of which t…

I warmly welcome the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. Both of us were of the class of 2011 so I got to know him very well in the Houses. The one thing I always admired, and still admire, him for is his extremely sharp intellect, coupled with his compassion. He is certainly well qualified for his brief. I have known his aunt in Clare for practically all my life and I know how proud she is of his appointment. We all are delighted for him and wish him the best. We will be happy to give any support we can to the Mini…