There is no need to highlight that, a Chathaoirligh. I congratulate Senators Carrigy, Ardagh and Wall and the Cathaoirleach on the great work done in the committee in raising awareness of autistic people and the work they did to make this an autism-friendly Parliament. I raise the issue of the severe storms in recent days that have resulted in a lot of damage to property and trees, in particular in my own area. I know the Leader will be very familiar with the tennis club in Castlebar, where the dome was completely …

I am honoured to say a few words today in the absence of our leader, Senator Doherty, who is unavoidably absent as she is in Brussels. I was shocked when I heard that Senator Norris was resigning because since I came into this House many moons ago, he was always here. He was always a friend and somebody you could get advice from. The Senator was captured completely in the words of the Cathaoirleach when he referred to the letter from the President and Taoiseach. In my view, that summed up the real Senator Norris. S…

The Comptroller and Auditor General makes observations annually on State bodies for one reason or another. Recently, we saw that he made some observations concerning Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI. The issue in respect of IFI has been raised by several Senators in this House, including by me, Senator Kyne and others, over the last 12 months. When the Comptroller and Auditor General raises issues with semi-State or State bodies, how do we know these things are rectified? Who is the watchdog for the rectification of a…

I would like to be associated with the words of congratulations to my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, on the great work she has done which has brought happiness to so many people. I call for a debate on the wind industry, particularly small, domestic wind turbines. We have seen huge growth in the area of solar panels for rooftops for houses. We could have small, domestic wind turbines in use by thousands of households, farms and small businesses. So many people would install them. I wonder in some cases if the so…

I want to discuss class K also.

The Senator had submitted an amendment on this.

While I do not question the ruling made by the Cathaoirleach, I ask him to reflect on the fact that moneys collected under the social welfare legislation are not a charge on the Exchequer. Moneys paid for dental or other treatment that are collected through the social welfare system are not a charge on the Exchequer. I do not think the ruling is proper in that regard. I have to support Senator Craughwell on this.

I thank the Acting Chairman. I have to agree with Senator Craughwell. I have raised class K on numerous occasions also. It affects every Member of this House and others. After the last election, the majority of people who lost their seats or retired were not even able to collect the jobseeker's benefit after doing so. This is a considerable indictment of the political system. Some of the individuals were here for only a very short period. To have lost their seats with no means or income was an issue. Some had famil…

I welcome what the Minister has said. An anomaly in the system that I have raised on a number of occasions is where a person who is between jobs is called for jury service. I hope the Minister will be able to address the matter in the Bill. The case I raise involves a girl who was changing jobs and found there was no onus on her previous employer to pay. She did jury duty for a week, during which there was no obligation on her previous or new employer to pay, meaning she fell through the cracks. She suffered lost w…

How will this work on the ground? I will outline a couple of scenarios. The first relates to people who may wish to retire at the age of 66 and draw a pension and maybe work two or three days a week. Will such people pay PRSI on their earnings afterwards? Is there no PRSI on it? Can they opt to pay PRSI on earnings and then get a higher pension when they stop work completely? On the other hand, there is a difference the rates at ages 66, 67 and 68 or whatever. If it is €20 per week, let us say, for each bracket. As…

I wish to raise an issue with the Minster. It is not entirely in her Department but the job seeker part of it is and is under this schedule. The Minister for public expenditure comes into it as well, but it relates to members of An Garda Síochána who joined the force after 1995. They do not retire on the same pension as gardaí who joined prior to 1995. They can make up the difference but they have to go on jobseeker's payments for nine months after they retire. Is it fair to ask this? The people who joined after 19…

I thank the Minister.

Now.

This is very generous legislation which makes very generous contributions to people. I congratulate the Minister on it and wish her well with it.

The Road Safety Authority is responsible for compiling official statistics on road traffic accidents. It receives collision data from An Garda Síochána and produces official statistics to help to develop evidence-based road safety interventions. The statistics it produces in respect of accidents detail the time the accident occurred, the day of the week on which it occurred, the age group and gender of those involved in the accident and whether they were drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists or cyclists. …

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, for the Bill. I commiserate with her on the recent death of her mother. I presume that is the reason that she is not here today. I would like to pick up on the Minister of State's last point. Regardless of the age at which a person draws down his or her pension - it may be 66 or 70 - if a person has ten years of contributions and draws the minimum at pension age, is his or her ten years calculated when he or she is 70 years of age…

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.