It is what it is.

I will send the Leader a copy.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus cuirim fáilte chomh mhaith roimh an reachtaíocht atá os ár gcomhair anocht. It is important to begin, as Senator Maria Byrne did, by acknowledging how important the credit union is in the fabric of Irish life and how it permeates across all parishes, communities, cities and counties. While listening to Senator Maria Byrne, I thought back to my late grandmother, my granny McVeigh, who said to me as a young fellow, “Make sure you join a credit union, son. Get into the credit uni…

Does that mean that the Senator is related to Senator Norris as well?

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I am taking this item on behalf of my colleague, Senator Warfield, who is unavailable. He sends his apologies. As the Minister of State knows, we very often stand in the Chamber to discuss matters relating to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is normally to criticise failed policy and inaction on the part of this or previous Governments but, as Senator Cummins rightly noted, this is generally non-contentious legislation. Today marks a welcome change. I a…

I second the amendment.

Ireland is by no means full. That rhetoric is quite dangerous and normally utilised by the far right. Senator Keogan needs to understand the difference between a migrant and an asylum seeker or refugee. People come here fleeing conflict, war and climate devastation in their countries and communities certainly need to be prepared and enabled for that. The vast majority of communities are open to that and prepared to open their arms to refugees and asylum seekers. The migrants the Senator speaks about come here to wo…

Well said, Senator.

Hear, hear.

I join colleagues in welcoming the Ukrainian ambassador. To her, I express Sinn Féin's continued solidarity with the Ukrainian people and again condemn in the strongest possible terms the immoral war being waged against her people by Russia. I welcome the announcement this week by the Minister of State with responsibility for international development aid and the diaspora, Deputy Brophy, that the global Irish civic forum will return to Dublin in April next year. When the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementa…

I will begin by calling for statements from the Minister for Health to update the House on the progress of the human tissue Bill. Members will know this is an issue that I and other colleagues have raised many times and other colleagues have raised it as a Commencement matter. The human tissue Bill is important legislation for many reasons but a primary reason for its importance is the option for a soft opt-out, which is that people would have to opt out of the organ donation register. This is something which recen…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire anseo anocht don díospóireacht ar an rún iontach tábhachtach seo. I begin by welcoming the Minister and commend Senator Clonan on bringing this important, thoughtful, considered and, as others have acknowledged, timely motion for debate in the Chamber tonight. I also acknowledge Government colleagues for their decision, as I understand it, not to oppose tonight's motion. It is important for the people of this State, and indeed the people of all of Ireland, to see this Chamber united on t…

Hear, hear.

Lock the doors.

I join the Leas-Chathaoirleach and other colleagues in expressing my sympathy and that of my party colleagues to Ms Doody on the loss of her brother Patrick. A number Senators were in London yesterday and the day before with the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. We engaged with both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and with a range of political parties in London. Everyone will acknowledge and appreciate the change in mood music around the issue of the protocol and that i…

Hear, hear.

I second the amendment. Ní chuirfidh mé a lán ama amú agus muid ag plé na ceiste seo. Ar Chéim an Choiste, leag mé amach go soiléir ní hamháin luach an leasaithe seo ach luach na leasuithe ina n-iomláine atá curtha síos i m'ainmse agus in ainmneacha mo chomhghleacaithe ó Shinn Féin maidir le cur chun cinn na teanga agus an teanga a bheith i bhfad níos feiceálaí ar tháirgí agus ar chomharthaíocht sna Sé Chontae Fichead. Tá an leasú seo ag iarraidh é sin a bhaint amach. Ritheann sé go hiomlán le ciall. Ritheann sé go…

Aithním go bhfuil an tAire Stáit ar aon intinn le cuspóirí na leasuithe seo ach táimid san áit ina bhfuilimid agus na leasuithe os ár gcomhair. Tá freagrachtaí ar leith ag an Aire Stáit. Tá sé ag rá nach bhfuil sé á nglacadh agus tá sé i dteideal é sin a dhéanamh. Ní ghlacaim leis an argóint nach raibh pre-legislative scrutiny déanta air seo agus gur tháinig sé aniar aduaidh ar an Aire Stáit. D'iarr mise ar chruinniú idir an Dara Céim agus Céim an Choiste. D'iarr mé ar chruinniú eile idir Céim an Choiste agus an Ch…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 83, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Language of On-Premises Information 103. (1) This section shall take effect on a date to be set by the Minister, no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 1 January 2026, and shall have effect only on on-premises signage newly erected or altered following that date. (2) All information provided on on-premises signage aimed at consumers shall be in the Irish language or in both official languages. (3) In the event of the …

I move amendment No. 3: In page 83, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “Language of Information Required for Goods 103. (1) This section shall take effect on a date to be set by the Minister, no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 1 January 2026, and shall have no effect on the packaging of products for sale prior to the date set by the Minister. (2) In order to be considered, provided in a clear and comprehensible manner in accordance with section 101 , all information specified in secti…