When is it proposed to sit again?

Last year, the Data Protection Commission published a report on an investigation it had launched into the Department of Health keeping dossiers on families who were taking cases against the State over the provision of services to their children with disabilities. There was an outcome to the report, which resulted from a whistleblower’s actions two years earlier. The Department was fined and told that it should not be keeping dossiers, as doing so was excessive and wrong and it was an unlawful gathering of data on f…

I congratulate the Minister of State. I could not be more thrilled to see her here presenting this Bill. I am delighted she is here in the Seanad. She is very welcome. I have a background in employment law and have been involved in collective redundancies over the years so I particularly welcome this Bill. It is very good legislation. The consultative process is a very valuable tool. Pardon me for referring to my WhatsApp but I have a document on it. There has been case law that says that that consultative period h…

I move: “That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, and the establishment of the online safety and media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, is a key Government strategy in the protection of children online; - Coimisiún na Meán is developing Ireland’s online safety framework, through binding online safety codes in its capacity as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the EU’s Digital Services Act, and it is currently developing the first online safety code to apply t…

Everybody is welcome. I thank the Minister for taking the time to attend. I appreciate that she is very busy at the moment so she is very good to come here. As long ago as 2010, the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Use published an article that said smartphone use and social media platforms - platforms, apps and games - were designed to be addictive, which is what is addressed in this motion. We have the American Time Use Survey, which was published in Jonathan Haidt's recent book, and shows that the number of …

I welcome the members of Fórsa. I have gone to bat against Fórsa in the WRC on many an occasion. I acknowledge the Minister’s remarks and all the work she has done, which clearly is felt across this House. There was a time when everybody smoked in all of the movies. In fact, they did it to promote them. That was what being cool looked like. Then there were decades where there were warnings that smoking was a public health issue. It was not believed and cases were taken. We then brought in and led the way on no smok…

Tuesday next at 1 p.m.

I do note it insofar as I can.

For the information of members, please note that the House by agreeing to the motion to recommit allows a Committee Stage-style discussion on amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, 8, 15 and 20 to 37, inclusive, only. Members may speak more than once on each of those amendments. In respect of the other amendments, I remind Members that a Member may speak only once on Report Stage except for the proposer of a amendment, who may reply to the discussion on the amendment. On Report Stage, each non-Government amendment must…

Amendments Nos. 4 and 38 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I need a seconder.

The amendment may not be moved in the absence of a seconder.

A similar situation will arise with amendment No. 5.

I am being advised it needs to be seconded now.

No, unless the Senator asks for a quorum.

Yes, this is a separate amendment.

Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on agriculture, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to conclude at 5.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening contribution of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, of which time can be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2 Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 – Co…

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I will start at the very beginning. Senator Dooley began contributions on the Order of Business by highlighting the tensions in the Middle East with regard to Iran and Ukraine. The fact is the latter is running out of munitions and a debate was sought in this House. It is something we need the Tánaiste to come in and speak to us about. He could perhaps include in that Sudan, which is on the edge of famine, if not already dipping into that. It is necessary and I certainly support that. Tha…

I move: That Seanad Éireann — - expresses its deep sadness on the death of former Senator Richard Dowling; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution, as a member of Seanad Éireann, to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland. I add to that a reference to Councillor Murphy.