The Minister of State is very welcome. I thank colleagues for the very informative contributions they have made on this issue so far. They certainly informed me and I am sure they have done the same for the Minister of State. It shows the merit and value of having statements like this in the Seanad and taking the time to discuss these issues. As the Minister of State said, technology has had a far-reaching and positive impact on many areas of life. In particular, it has significantly opened up life for people with …

I begin by welcoming the news that a tender has been issued for the Narrow Water Bridge. Senators will know this is a long-standing commitment by the Irish Government and the Executive in the North. I know the Taoiseach and several other Ministers joined John O'Dowd, the Infrastructure Minister in the North, at a recent event at Narrow Water. It has huge potential to transform the whole Carlingford Lough area and the south Down and north Louth areas in terms of tourism and community development and so I welcome tha…

Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh ambasadóir na Breataine agus comhbhrón a dhéanamh leis. I join colleagues in expressing condolences to Ambassador Johnston and to the British people. I am mindful that the unionist people in the North, in particular, are in a period of mourning along with the people of Britain and, indeed, many other places around the world. Earlier this week, I returned from a trip to Canada. I am also mindful of my friend, the late Martin McGuinness, and the genuine connection he …

I second the amendment.

Well said.

We have been asked what our contribution to the debate is, and it has been in tabling these amendments in the names of the families in Donegal and the other affected areas. None of the Sinn Féin Seanadóirí is from Donegal, yet I believe we are reflecting the will of the people there by tabling these amendments, and I cannot understand why anyone would oppose them. I will have to check the record, but I think there may have been another admission in Senator Blaney's contribution indicating this is not a 100% redress…

That is not how this works.

I do not think it is intentional or, indeed, that they have been authorised, but Government Senators keep letting the cat out of the bag, because surely by definition if this was a 100% redress scheme, homeowners would not have to take legal action.

Hear, hear.

Well said.

I thought the Members would be in much better form today, but nevertheless I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and I join other colleagues across the Chamber in acknowledging and thanking staff across the Oireachtas for everything they do for us throughout the term of the sitting. They keep us right, safe, fed and watered and do a great job, and we are very thankful to them. This is the case as we emerge from the very difficult circumstances of Covid-19 and all the burdens that placed on them. I fully endorse what Sena…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Cuirim fáilte roimpi agus cuirim fíorfháilte roimh an rún tábhachtach atá os ár gcomhair anocht. Tá an-áthas orm mo thacaíocht a thabhairt don rún seo, a mholtar in ainm an Seanadóir Warfield agus in ainmneacha leath againn féin. I welcome the Minister to this important debate on this motion. During his remarks, Senator Warfield said something that struck me. It might not be what people would expect it to be. He said that every day is a school day. We had quite the schooling at the br…

-----or indeed our visitors enjoying some nightlife. I am sure they could be doing better things than being here. They have been very good for sitting through this debate so patiently. To the Minister, I say this can be done. In the North, we have proved that steps can be taken. There must be harmonisation right across the country in respect of how we approach this topic. As other colleagues have encouraged the Minister, I ask her not to divide the House on this motion. Let us vote on it and get it through.

One of many.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I do not know if I will need four minutes, so Senator Crowe could have added a few more congratulations there, had he wanted to. The question is succinct in what it is trying to achieve. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response, then we could perhaps engage based on the detail of that response.

I thank the Minister of State for the answer. I begin by acknowledging the dedication and diligence of staff in the Passport Service and thanking them. It has undoubtedly been a difficult and trying number of years for them. There are a couple of encouraging points in the Minister of State's answer. I welcome that a dedicated team has been set up and deployed to focus solely on first-time applications from the North. It is necessary because there is a difficult, substantial backlog which needs to be cleared. While …

I could not have said it better myself.

The normal parliamentary functions of any democracy are not stunts or cynical. They are entirely appropriate and it is entirely within the right of the Opposition to move a motion of no confidence, not least when Government parties lose their majority. On Saturday morning I had a fantastic visit to Davitts Gaelic Athletic Club, just off the Falls Road, to mark the celebrations for Eid. It was the first large-scale outdoor celebration of Eid in the North. It came off the back of the unfortunate arson attack carried …

Hear, hear.

The term is "the Glorious Twelfth".