Deputy Naughten's comments merit a response. It is fairly obvious from our many engagements on this topic, both in the Chamber and beyond, that I fully appreciate the sentiments behind the amendment and the comments by both Deputy Naughten and Deputy O'Reilly. I do not just appreciate the proposal as I would probably largely agree with it, but I cannot support it. I will give a clear reason, making one point and one commitment. The statement for the information of voters is intended to set out the proposal that vot…

I take Deputy Naughten's point but he can appreciate where I am bound at this stage. I fundamentally believe we will be back here in June with a clear decision because there will be a large-scale information campaign going beyond simply what is put on a ballot paper or pinned to a wall in a polling station. We all know that a lot of people, particularly in Ireland, take votes seriously. They take elections seriously. They take referendums seriously. They make it their business to inform themselves and there is a gr…

Tairgim: GO nDÉANFAR an ráiteas atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Rún seo a fhorordú mar eolas do vótálaithe, de bhun alt 23 d'Acht an Reifrinn, 1994 (Uimh. 12 de 1994), i ndáil leis an togra chun an Bunreacht a leasú, atá ar áireamh sa Bhille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitinní), 2024, agus is ábhar do reifreann bunreachta. An Sceideal An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Daichead ar an mBunreacht (An Comhaontú maidir le Cúirt Aontaithe um Paitin…

Tairgim: “Go léifear an Bille don Dara hUair anois.” I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time.” I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Forty-first Amendment to the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024 to the House. In line with Article 46 of the Constitution, the Bill sets out a proposal for an amendment of the Constitution and if passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, the proposal will be submitted by referendum to the decision of the people. Before I go through the Bill, I wi…

In particular, I thank the seven Deputies who contributed to this important debate, which was conducted in a good tone. I want to address some of the issues that were raised before we conclude this Stage. With regard to the comments made by Deputy O’Reilly, I welcome her support for the legislation and her decision to see the wording in it before she makes a decision. She may correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this might be the first European referendum Sinn Féin has supported. We welcome that. Welcome to the …

My office was represented there.

In fairness, my party had a number of people there, including staff from my office. To be clear, I have a detailed note of the meeting. I was attending to ministerial business. I think that is an unfair charge.

Deputy Collins should not make such a charge.

I genuinely thank Deputy Collins for tabling this Private Members' Bill-----

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: Dáil Éireann declines to give the Protection of Employees (Trade Union Subscriptions) Bill 2024 a second reading on the basis that it places an administrative burden on businesses; that there are a number of policy and constitutional matters and potential regulatory impacts, including the cost for the Exchequer and businesses, that require detailed consideration in advance of progressing legislation in this area; and it is more a…

It should have been sent over last night. I do not have copies with me.

I know; I am sorry. It was sent over last night. I will get one sent over as quickly as possible. I apologise. I thought it had been sent. I thank Deputy Collins for organising the briefing which I was not able to attend personally, but I got a good note on it and a number of people from my colleagues' offices also went. To provide clarity, we think it is a good thing to organise in the AV room. I have met the FSU, admittedly not about this issue, but I have not had an opportunity to meet Mandate and I hope to be a…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing an EU Talent Pool, a copy of which was…

Gabh mo leithscéal. I thought it had been sent over.

Of course.

I do not know if this would be within the rules of the House but I am more than happy to give way if any Members do happen to come in. There is some time left on this debate. This is an important debate and if someone is rushing up from a committee room, and this is in the gift of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, of course, but my colleagues and I are more than happy to be flexible. I appreciate the debate and the contribution Deputy Daly made in this regard. To address the points he raised in his questions, concerning t…

No. These are important points the Deputy's party will never mention. It is trying to make out that everyone is leaving and that this is why everyone is leaving, when it is simply not the case. Ultimately, I do hope Sinn Féin will be supportive of this proposal. I answered the two questions posed in this regard, and I said we hope to bring the memo to Cabinet by the end of March. I hope, therefore, that Sinn Féin will support this proposal and will continue to support a robust, fair and progressive immigration syst…

I thank the Deputy for the amendment and I appreciate the rationale with which I am not in massive disagreement, as we have discussed. However, as we discussed on Committee Stage, I cannot accept this amendment, which appears to require the employer or responsible person to initiate consultations with a EWC, where established, on proposed collective redundancies. This is in addition to the consultation with employees' representatives. Under law, EWCs have a specific remit which is to facilitate information and cons…

On the Deputy's first point, three meetings have taken place on this since we last met, which was in Nemours on 10 January. There was an intention to have general agreement by the end of the Belgian Presidency. As to what will happen then and the impact on the EU's ordinary legislative process, I can only speak from experience and 15 years of working at a European Union level and everything that goes into it. We will have European elections on 7 June in this jurisdiction and across all member states on that weekend…

I appreciate the Deputy's intentions but I cannot accept this amendment. The intent behind the section is to oblige directors to notify employees and their representatives, where they exist in the company concerned, of the petition they have filed at court. The court, under a consequential amendment by section 21 to section 572 of the Companies Act, could have regard to whether the company has met this obligation when making the winding-up order. Employees' representatives are generally the trade union officials or…