I agree with the Minister’s reply, but I take this opportunity to advocate for the ratification of the optional protocol as soon as possible, given it was contingent on this Act coming into being and the decision support service being in place.

I come back to the excellent example given of Dr. Carol Coulter. The observations from the family courts have been instrumental. Having an application or process with the Minister as a gatekeeper in respect of who would have access, and through which appropriate people with appropriate credentials could be granted access for research and such purposes, is necessary. The way this aspect is contained in the Bill is adequate in ensuring there is access and transparency. Where additional access is needed, there is a pr…

On Committee Stage, I heard Senator Mullen's argument, which came out of the blue for me as it was not something I had thought about before. I had sympathy for his view. He and I engaged extensively the following day about it. I thank the Minister for facilitating a meeting with all of us, including the officials who are present and two others from the Department of Health, subsequent to that. In that meeting, we heard in great detail the expected steps that would occur in the various scenarios that we put to the r…

Now.

May I speak?

I appreciate we have the Finance Bill this evening but I will begin by thanking the Minister. There has been extensive engagement and him and his officials have been exceptional throughout. It is very important we move as quickly as possible, that everyone is resourced to do so and the day of wards of court be over as quickly as possible. It is incumbent on me to mention there is a small group of wards for which justice remains outstanding. We need a solution to that and I may engage with the Minister at a later po…

I echo exactly what my colleague, Senator Dolan, said. This budget-----

-----is something I am very proud of.

If I might have the floor, it would be very good and beneficial.

This is a cost-of-living budget. We have to consider within it that it is also a reaction to all that is going on in Ukraine, including the deliberate use of economics as a weapon of warfare and a weapon of murderous intent. Among the tangible differences for families as a consequence of this budget, for example, in my constituency of Dublin South-Central, a working single parent earning €21,000 will have €3,413 more in his or her pocket in 2023. How will that person have that? His or her wage will have been increa…

-----because of Fine Gael's long tenure-----

-----in the Department of Finance and in making sure that we have money in the bank.

I rise today to welcome the ambassador, to voice my absolute support for the motion of commemoration and to note that what is going on at present in Ukraine is an attempted genocide. That the sanctions placed on Russia are not even more dramatic, given the intended annihilation of an entire nation, is really shocking. We cannot understate how appalling it is and we cannot convey enough our solidarity with the Ukrainian people. I wish to support a great announcement that was made earlier today by the Minister of Jus…

I echo my colleagues who have called for a debate on transport and for the Minister to attend the House. BusConnects is galloping along and there have been several rounds of public consultation, but it does not appear that the public's concerns are always being taken on board. Now, we are looking at planning permissions next spring in respect of the likes of Stannaway Road in Dublin South-Central. The plans, as they stand, will make the area uninhabitable for many of those living there. I have risen to ask for a de…

I will try to be as quick and efficient as possible. I have listened to this debate from my office and the Chamber and, from what I have heard, one would imagine we live in a completely lawless state, which is not at all the truth. The fact is that, even in those communities that have made the headlines in the past week, the vast majority of people go about their daily business normally and peacefully, abiding by the law and working in co-operation with the Garda. They support the Garda and strong and safe communit…

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I echo the statements of Senator Flynn with regard to the people of Ballyfermot, although I stand in solidarity with An Garda Síochána and particularly with the two gardaí who went out to work expecting to come home safely but did not. That should not happen under any circumstances. There is also a community at the heart of this which is full of very good people who have a passion, care and love for each other and I am proud to say some of them are within my own family. I note for the House that at this moment the …

I thank the Minister of State. I will make a comment before we move on to the next Commencement matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, is a great colleague whom I very much value as a parliamentarian. However, there is trend of responses being given by Ministers who are not from the Departments to which the Commencement matters are addressed. With due respect, the Minister of State was given a speech to read out in the House, most of which I could have taken from a website. It is disrespectful to the Seanad…

I welcome our visitors to the Gallery. They are very welcome to the Seanad.