I echo the comments by Senators Dooley, Buttimer and Craughwell in regard to Aer Lingus. It is hugely important that we do not end up reading in the newspapers that it is all over suddenly for the company as a result of a decision made somewhere else. In case people feel that state aid rules are an issue, I would point out that Ryanair has already got £600 million from the UK Government. In that context, I do not know that we would expect the usual noises from that quarter if there was any help given to Aer Lingus.…

I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 5 be taken before No. 1. I draw the House's attention to the following health matter and I ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Health to make himself available to deal with this issue, as he has other business in this House today. I refer to the need for the HSE and the Department of Health to put in place a comprehensive programme for influenza inoculation right across the country. We know there is a significant danger of flu coinciding with spike…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to reform Seanad Éireann within the terms of the Constitution and for that purpose to expand the franchise at Seanad elections; to provide for the establishment of the Seanad Electoral Commission; to provide for the repeal of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947 and the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937, and to provide for related matters.

Next Tuesday.

I echo the sentiments of welcome and congratulation to the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, and the good wishes that have been expressed for the carrying-out of his ministerial functions. I welcome this legislation. It is very important that the system of company law and indeed co-operative societies should function properly during this period. Any relaxation of relevant rules or procedures required to make companies function and save them from being stapled to the ground by an overly rigid adherence to what I shall…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: "(3) This Act shall expire at the end of the interim period and on such expiry shall be deemed to have been repealed subject to the provisions of section 27 of the Interpretation Act 2005. (4) During the interim period the Act of 2014 shall have effect as though it is amended in accordance with Part 2. (5) During the interim period the Act of 1893 shall have effect as though it is amended in accordance with Part 3.". I indicated on…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, after line 26, to insert the following: " "interim period" has the same meaning as is provided in section 3 and section 29 respectively.".

I echo the words of welcome and congratulation to the Minister of State. This has been an uplifting, positive and welcome debate. This Chamber is normally occupied by other people and sometimes is much more adversarial. I believe that the questions of education and the establishment of this new Department should elicit a positive response. The first words I spoke in the House today were to ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister to come here and explain what are his policies on education and its funding. I point…

I thank the authorities in Leinster House for enabling us to meet in this place. On the question of education, I strongly support the requests made not only today but on a previous occasion for a serious set of debates on education. Both Ministers with responsibility for education, Deputies Foley and Harris, should be asked in here, not to announce final decisions, because there are obviously difficulties and uncertainties around the extent of Covid infections and how quickly we will be able to overcome them, but t…

Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach agus cuirim mo dhea-mhéin chuige as ucht a bheith tofa mar Chathaoirleach an Tí seo. This is an historic occasion for him and for this House. I do not believe I am breaking any confidences in revealing that he has sought support widely among Members in his determination to become its Cathaoirleach. It is important to remember that he told many Members that he was in the business of reforming the House. He has given that commitment and I hope he does not mind me …

I join other Members in welcoming the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and congratulating her on a very challenging but, I believe, very rewarding appointment. It is much deserved. She did our country proud when she was spokesperson for the Irish State on Brexit. I was glad to acknowledge that in the previous Seanad and I reiterate my best hopes for her tenure as Minister for Justice. I am one of the great fans of jury trials, and I am not saying that just as a cliché. The fundamental requirement that the people should ha…

I want to echo what Senator Boyhan has just said. The Minister's contribution here today has been very powerful indeed. If the media are interested in the proceedings of this House, the broadcast media in particular, the portion of the Minister's unscripted remarks about the seriousness of the obligation to comply with the guidance the Government is giving and the potential consequences of failing to do it should be broadcast, particularly where they can be seen by the younger cohort of the population, to whom perh…

I understand that the business to which we are speaking this afternoon is a motion to adjourn the House. It occurs to me that rather than prolong the matter too much, we have a number of months to go as Senators. In that context, if any of those present are patient, I can keep going. I want to start by thanking the Cathaoirleach and the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the wonderful service given to this House and the friendship, kindness and competence they have demonstrated. I also want to thank Martin Groves and Bridget …

On a serious note, I noted in today's edition of The Irish Times a namesake of mine, Bishop John McDowell of Clogher, a Church of Ireland bishop in Northern Ireland whose diocese straddles the Border, emphasising the importance of civility. It seems to me that apart from simple friendship, of which there is an abundance in this House, there has always been civility. Recently when some people were urging me to go somewhere else with what remains of my political career, it did occur to me, and in fairness to Deputies…