I move: That Seanad Éireann do not insist on Seanad amendment No. 15.

I move: That Seanad Éireann agrees to amendment No. 15c1 made by the Dáil consequential upon the Dáil’s disagreement to Seanad amendment No. 15.

I move: That the Seanad do agree to amendment 15c2 made by the Dáil consequential upon the Dáil’s disagreement to Seanad amendment 15.

I thank the Aire Stáit and the officials from his Department who are here today, everybody who has worked on this legislation and those who have contributed to it. The Acting Chairperson did a formidable job today and I say, "Well done". The legislation is important. Putting our biodiversity plan on a statutory footing and putting an obligation on our public bodies to protect our biodiversity could not be more relevant when we hear the news and weather forecasts from all around Europe, and what we are experiencing …

A happy, safe and free Pride to everybody in Dublin, throughout the country and around the world this weekend, this month and every single day of the year. Last week, I spoke about the Bloomsday festival that took place in Dublin Central. It was a fantastic celebration of James Joyce's work and life. Most of the celebration was spent in the north inner city and in my constituency of Dublin Central. Last weekend, we also had the Stoneybatter Festival, which is a fantastic festival that takes place in Dublin 7. I com…

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. This morning, I wanted to talk about tomorrow, 16 June or Bloomsday, which is the day we celebrate the hero of the James Joyce novel Ulysses , Leopold Bloom. It was written in 1922, and Bloomsday was first celebrated in 1954, and it has been celebrated every year in Dublin. It is interesting to reflect on the fact that James Joyce was an Irish immigrant living in Europe. He wrote that book as an immigrant, and today our city is home to a lot of immigrants. That is an important …

This morning I want to give a shout out to everybody sitting the leaving certificate exams. They are about halfway through what is, by any standard, a testing process. I believe Ireland is unique in our leaving certificate. It is a rite of passage here. In these circumstances, in this weather, it is extremely trying for anyone sitting the exams. There was a very significant upset last week with maths paper 1. The Minister for Education needs to give a strong direction to the State examinations board and to all of t…

I welcome the inspired appointment this week of the new chair of the North East Inner City Task Force. The new chairperson is none other than Mr. Jim Gavin, who will be familiar to everyone in the House. Jim is a Dub and a very successful GAA manager. He brought the Dubs to no less than five All-Ireland championships. He is also the director of operations at the Irish Aviation Authority. My hope and ambition for him and the north-east inner city is that he brings his professionalism, precision and winning ways to t…

I understand the Senator’s concerns on surveillance and surveillance of public spaces, and I believe they are genuinely and sincerely held. However, we live in an increasingly data-driven and software-driven world. In some parts of the world, it feels as if there is an awful lot more surveillance, though I am not sure how proactively managed it is. I welcome this legislation and the amendments being brought forward. I acknowledge and thank the leader of my party, Deputy Micheál Martin, and Deputies McAuliffe and La…

I move: That Seanad Éireann: recognising: - the contribution of Dr. Kathleen Lynn to the provision of healthcare to children and mothers, including her co-founding of Ireland's first children's hospital in 1919, St. Ultan's Hospital for Infants; - the pioneering work of Dr. Kathleen Lynn in prioritising children’s health at a time when paediatrics was a fledging discipline; - Dr. Kathleen Lynn’s tireless championing of social justice and public health; - that the new National Children’s Hospital identity should be …

I thank my colleague, Senator Clifford-Lee, and all the Senators who have spoken on this important motion. I welcome that we have clarity on the naming of the hospital and that it is a Government decision. I accept that the Government’s number one priority is on the commissioning and opening of the hospital. That is exactly what its priority should be and we fully support that. I also acknowledge the contrary and questioning views. That is healthy. It is important that we question decisions and proposals. I will re…

The Minister of State is welcome. She has responsibility for older people but also for mental health. For all of our mental health education is very important. My Commencement matter calls on the Minister for Education to confirm the location of a new special education school in Dublin 7. I would appreciate if the Minister of State would update the House on the provision of what will be a new special school but also the admission policy, the number of places that will be offered and the type of school it will be. S…

I thank the Minister of State for clarifying the matter. It is good to get clarity. The site at Grangegorman that has served the Educate Together school for many years is ideally located. The Educate Together school community has waited a long time for the new purpose-built school. I look forward to it moving into that on the Grangegorman campus, and I wish it well. This is very positive news. It would be really helpful if the Minister and the City of Dublin ETB could facilitate a meeting with parents in the area. …

Excellent.

I draw the House's attention to the wonderful festival that took place last weekend in Phibsborough. Phizzfest leads the way when it comes to urban festivals. There was everything from Joyce to gospel choir, folk music and bluegrass. There was great quack at the duck race. There was clothes swapping and a fabulous flea market. Truly, Phibsborough was fizzing, as they would say themselves. It was a fantastic community achievement. I congratulate everybody who was involved in it. It would not happen without volunteer…

I wish to talk about the cost of living, "greedflation" and corporate social responsibility. I welcome the fact that the Government has called in the retailers to address with them the fact that the price of ordinary basic staples, such as bread, milk, butter, vegetables and all the products that are in our shopping baskets, are not dropping in line with the reduction in costs. The costs were very quick to skyrocket. It is putting enormous pressure on households all over the country, not just in my own constituency…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for being here. This is a very important matter, as are all of the matters being raised by the Senators in this House. We appreciate the Minister's time given all the pressures that are on it. We are seeking an update from the Minister and his Department on funding to provide an international centre of excellence for Na Píobairí Uilleann on Henrietta Street in Dublin 1. Na Píobairí Uilleann was founded in 1968 by a group of volunteers who were champions of the uilleann pipes. I can cou…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. It is welcome news that the Department is engaging with the city council and is looking favourably on this proposal. It is important that we preserve our unique heritage. It is called the sound of Ireland because of the unique sound that uilleann pipes create, the uniqueness of the instrument, the complexity of it and the richness of that sound. I appreciate that the Minister and his Department have many demands on the State's resources but a project such as this is one will serve not…

I pay tribute to the young people in Cabra who have been awarded one of the first ever rainbow awards. It was presented to them this morning. It was my privilege as chair of Cabra for Youth to attend with them. It was presented for completion of an achievement of a rainbow award, which signifies the organisation's commitment to diversity, inclusion, respect and solidarity. Cabra for Youth was one of six youth organisations from across Dublin and the country to receive these first rainbow awards. The awards reflect …

I draw the House's attention to the fact that the National Transport Authority, NTA, has submitted a planning application for DART south west to connect the Kildare line and upgrade it to a DART-like service to run through the Phoenix Park Tunnel at Heuston, through Cabra, Glasnevin and on to Connolly. This is a welcome development. Increased provision of reliable and affordable public transportation is obviously a key priority for all of us. One element that is disappointing in this railway order application is th…