Exactly. We clearly need a very bespoke response to this because it is an open goal for criminality that we need to close down. It is a gap in our law that needs to be rectified.

I congratulate the Leader on her wedding. I am also delighted by Senator Higgins's news, on which I congratulate her. On several occasions, I have asked for a special debate on apartment defects. Such a debate must happen as a matter of urgency. The remediation scheme, and the money allocated for it, was a positive decision by the Government. I do not understand the delay in the Minister coming to the House to explore the aspects of apartment defects that need to be discussed by way of statements. I urge the Leader…

I speak on behalf of the Fine Gael party when I express my support for this in its entirety. I thank the Minister of State for bringing it before the House today. Apropos of the points made by Senator Higgins, Ireland is very much aware of the rights of those seeking asylum and operates thoroughly and comprehensively to vindicate to those rights. If further measures are needed to ensure that airlines are operating correctly with regard to the vindication of those rights, then I am sure we will be open to entertaini…

Before I invite the next Senator to speak, I welcome the students from St. Benildus College, Sandyford.

I applaud the work of the two Senators who have brought this matter forward. I commend their sincerity and praise Senator Ardagh for how well she has spoken publicly about her personal journey. An IVF journey is, for anybody, an emotional roller-coaster and very difficult. Many people spend their entire financial future – myself included – on the hope of a child. It is worth every cent but financial security is mortgaged for the hope of holding that baby. I know that from my journey of 13 IVFs, five miscarriages an…

An amendment that was agreed by Cabinet is not before the House. Is that what we are saying?

Wow.

I bring good news on matters that have been advocated for in this House. Yesterday the Minister for Justice, Deputy Simon Harris, brought an update to Government and to Cabinet on the Cherry Orchard implementation board. Over the last year and a half, I have been advocating for specific action in the area to support what is a fantastic community of people, proud of where they live and of the people they share a community with. A tiny element has given the area a bad name. They are a minuscule element. The community…

I am relieved that we are finally looking at the redress scheme being launched and that we are at this Stage in the legislation. I want to welcome Sheila, who is present today. There is no compensation that can mitigate the horror of the experience of women, both in the mother and baby homes and in the very cruel society of the time. There is also the stigma of being born in a mother and baby home. No matter what we say here, there is nothing that can compensate for that. We must do better, we must change and we mu…

I move: “That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - the ‘Independent Review of the Handling of Past Complaints of Abuse in St John Ambulance Ireland’ (SJAI) by Dr Geoffrey Shannon SC, disclosed a very serious pattern of abuse of young people in that organisation over a number of decades; - the report made eight recommendations arising from its findings, including: - that the culture and ethos of the SJAI needed change, such that the young people at the heart of it, the ‘cadets’, ‘should be considered as members who …

I thank the Cathaoirleach. The Minister is very welcome. I also thank the Cathaoirleach for facilitating this motion at very short notice which we greatly appreciate. I am very mindful of the obligations of privilege and anything I say today or will say in the context of this matter is already in the public domain and is taken from Dr. Geoffrey Shannon’s report. I begin by giving the apologies of Senator Doherty, for whom another matter has arisen, and who has been an extraordinary supporter and campaigner along wi…

I thank the Minister for his response and for how comprehensive it was. I am very grateful for it. I will make just a quick correction. When I spoke earlier, in my emotion I referred to St. John Ambulance issuing proceedings in defence of proceedings and said it is accusing survivors of being liars and of all sorts of things. The fact that St. John Ambulance is defending what happened despite the findings of Dr. Shannon's report is in itself shameful. I have empathy for people affected by this from early on in my l…

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I raise the issue of public health nursing services in Curlew Road Health Centre in Drimnagh, which are about to be moved to Armagh Road Health Centre in Crumlin. Questions have already been asked about this withdrawal and the response has been that it is a temporary measure, and that there will be a mother and child clinic. However, I need to impress upon the decision makers that it is not acceptable for the area of Drimnagh to be left without a public health …

The Minister of State would not defend the stripping out of public health nurses from the service to a town the size of Killarney. That decision would never be made because it is seen as a distinct area and town deserving of and entitled to its own service. Drimnagh is no different. Just because it is in Dublin city does not mean it does not deserve to be red-circled and have its own services. The people of Drimnagh have been let down since 2011 and have not had a delivery of the services or a prioritisation. They …

I want to begin by welcoming Odette and Sam Doran to the Gallery. They are leading activists in the campaign called Not Our Fault, which is the group of residents who are affected by apartment defects and are waiting on the Government's scheme. I have spoken a number of times on this issue and have asked that we have statements in the House. The decision has already been made by the Government in response to the probability that more than 100,000 apartments throughout the country are affected by apartment defects. …

It is Senator Seery Kearney.

It does not happen to the Boyd Barretts; it only happens to me. The Minister is very welcome to the House. I thank him very much for this Bill. It is really welcome. In a country where we are intentional about universal access to healthcare, it is very important we remove any impediments that may cause people to not access the care they require. A central plank - there is a "however" coming - of the Sláintecare plans was primary care centres and ensuring there is a primary care centre in the appropriate area. This …

The Minister of State is very welcome. It is a pleasure, as always. Amendments Nos. 7 and 8 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Yes.

Amendments Nos. 9 to 12, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.