I sincerely hope that Senator Norris saying the word "bong" is included in the transcript

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I am taking this item on behalf of Senator Warfield, who sends the Minister his apologies for not being available this evening. I am actually quite thankful that Senator Norris has left the Chamber. This is not out of any disrespect whatsoever but, because this is not my bailiwick, I am going to read a speech that has been provided for me. I remember in the previous term that Senator Norris would regularly reprimand people for reading speeches.

Senator Craughwell should settle down. Before I begin, I share the sentiments of other colleagues. I recognise and appreciate that substantial progress has been made with regard to this Bill. It will improve the overall governance framework. As other colleagues have acknowledged, however, there is room for improvement. Sinn Féin supports legislative reform in higher education to clarify the role of the Higher Education Authority, HEA, increase inclusion and access and ensure proper governance and accountability. I …

I welcome the Minister and thank him for his attention this afternoon. Senator Higgins has outlined a similar rationale for her amendments to that applying to our amendments Nos. 37 and 38. I will speak to them briefly in order that we can get to the Minister's response. Amendment No. 37 seeks to guarantee that where a public sector employee makes a disclosure to the relevant Minister but that disclosure is not in compliance with the requirements for making a disclosure, he or she will receive the same protections …

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response with regard to amendments Nos. 37 and 38. I do not have the lead brief on this for our group. I am inclined to withdraw them when we get to that point and reserve the right to resubmit on a further Stage. I can inform colleagues of the Minister's response.

I move amendment No. 37: In page 24, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “(d) a worker who is or was employed in a public body and who has made a disclosure to a relevant Minister but who has not made a disclosure in compliance with section 8(2)(c) shall benefit from the protections set out in this Act if they comply with section 8(2)(b) and other relevant sections in the Act.”. I withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to resubmit on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 38: In page 24, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(aa) otherwise, where the Minister deems it to be in the public interest, the relevant Minister shall acknowledge, in writing, to the reporting person, receipt of a report made to the Minister not more than 7 days after receipt of it, save where the reporting person explicitly requested otherwise or the Minister reasonably believes that acknowledging receipt of the report would jeopardise the protection of the identity of the re…

I oppose the section and will vote accordingly.

I refer to amendment No. 52 in our names. It proposes a deletion. It is related to our previous amendment and the risks of tort action against the disclosure. I am keen to hear the Minister's response to amendment No. 52.

Yes, but it is also in our name.

I thank the Minister.

More is the pity. It is a good one, like them all.

Hear, hear.

I, too, welcome the ambassador to the Gallery this morning. When I was a member of Belfast City Council I had the great privilege of travelling to Ljubljana to look at the fantastic and transformative work undertaken to pedestrianise the city to make it much healthier, better connected and prosperous. There are lessons we in Ireland could well and truly learn for our own cities and towns in this regard. A shared island has to mean a shared Oireachtas. I was dismayed when I read reports in the Irish News this mornin…

I thank the Leader.

I thank the Leader.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta Coveney. Tá an ceart ag an Seanadóir Martin nuair a deir sé go bhfuil an tAire i gcónaí díograiseach ag teacht os comhair an tSeanaid. Gabhaim mo leithscéal leis an Aire as a chur i láthair a chailleadh inniu. The Minister is very welcome to the House. I apologise for missing his contribution. He will know from being at the Council of Europe that I am a few Senators down this week. It is one of those days of running from one thing to the other. We welcome the Bill. In effect,…

Perhaps the Minister could circulate his speech in an email so we can see it.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 106, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 21 of Act of 2014 28. Section 21 of the Act of 2014 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection: "(2) When considering the provision of moneys to be provided to the Commission, the Minister may give consideration to the additional powers the Commission may have undertaken, or been provided with, in a given year, and the increased expenses the Commission may have incurred as a result.".". I thank …

Before I come to my response, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the members of the north Belfast and Lurgan community restorative justice harm reduction group who are in the Gallery. The name is a bit of a tongue twister but they are very welcome all the same. In my capacity as a Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice and equality, I believe the work that restorative practitioners do throughout Ireland and more broadly is to be commended, developed and supported. I will not prolong our presence in the Chamber …