I want to raise the issue of Palestine and read into the record just some of the letter that was published in the Irish Examiner yesterday. It states: My name is Samia. You do not know me, but you may have seen my picture. I know that you have seen so many photos of my home and my people that it may be hard to recall one from another. But, there is one picture of me you should remember, because I am holding the dead body of my niece, her tiny little frame swaddled in plastic. Her name was Massah. She was two years …

May we get a copy of the Minister of State's speech?

I thank the Minister of State.

The Minister is very welcome, as always. Sinn Féin is against this motion. Like others, we are disappointed that the Minister is taking it as one whole motion as opposed to giving us the opportunity to vote on individual segments. There are two segments that we would somewhat reluctantly endorse relating to the asylum and migration management regulation, AMMR, because it seems there is a degree of common sense in applying it, and Eurodac. Personally, I have significant reservations about it but I can see the logic …

Okay, I accept that. I do not know how many people here have been to a detention centre. I have. I saw two teenage children, who happened to be the same age as my children, on the Hungarian-Serbian border who had been kept in a cage for six months and were not let out of that cage for one minute of one day during the period. When one of the political associates on that trip, from the far right, started dismissing the teenager as he broke down, saying they were fake tears, I did not know where to look or where to go…

That is not what I said.

No, it is not.

The Minister is completely incorrect to suggest that.

I move amendment No. 51: In page 50, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: “(c) provision under which the Authority, the Minister or both Houses of the Oireachtas may instruct the investment management provider to divest from certain portfolios where ethical issues arise,”.

I move amendment No. 64: In page 53, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “Cryptocurrency 72. (1) The Authority shall ensure that the assets of a relevant AE provider scheme are not directly or indirectly invested in cryptocurrency or in portfolios which are exposed to cryptocurrencies. (2) In this section— “cryptocurrency” means any form of digital currency that is not regulated, and in relation to which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the tran…

I move amendment No. 66: In page 56, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: “(b) such provisions referred to in paragraph (a) should be in compliance with obligations under the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018,”.

I move amendment No. 67: In page 57, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Investment in fossil fuel undertakings 76. (1) (a) The Authority shall endeavour to ensure that the assets of an AE provider scheme are not directly invested in a fossil fuel undertaking. (b) Where the Authority becomes aware that an undertaking in which the assets of an AE provider scheme are directly invested is, or becomes, a fossil fuel undertaking, the Authority shall divest the assets of the relevant AE provider scheme from …

I move amendment No. 68: In page 57, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Prohibition on investment in munitions companies 76. (1) In accordance with Part 4 of the Act of 2008, the Authority shall not directly or indirectly invest the assets of a relevant AE provider scheme in a munitions company. (2) Where assets of a relevant AE provider scheme have been directly or indirectly invested in a company which is or becomes a munitions company, the Authority shall divest such assets immediately. (3) In this…

I move amendment No. 69: In page 57, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Investment in companies operating in occupied territories 76. (1) (a) The Authority shall ensure that the assets of a relevant AE provider scheme are not directly or indirectly invested in an undertaking operating within an occupied territory. (b) Where the Authority becomes aware that an undertaking in which the assets of a relevant AE provider scheme are directly or indirectly invested is, or becomes, an undertaking operating in…

I move amendment No. 70: In page 57, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Prohibition on investment in undertakings operating without a legal basis 76. (1) (a) The Authority shall ensure that assets of a relevant AE provider scheme are not directly or indirectly invested in undertakings carrying out business in a territory where there is not a legal basis to do so. (b) Where the Authority becomes aware that an undertaking in which the assets of a relevant AE provider scheme are, or becomes, directly or …

Sinn Féin fully supports this amendment. From my time as a trade union official, I have a fear that there will be an extensive withdrawal of private pension schemes by employers.

Let him speak.

I begin by offering my congratulations again to our colleague, Senator Doherty, and my good friend, Senator Boylan. I also commend Senators Blaney and Chambers. From my experience, it was a really enjoyable campaign and very worthwhile in terms of a good life experience. The first issue I wish to raise is the appalling but really powerful documentary by “RTÉ Investigates" in respect of Shannonside Foods. Anyone who watched the documentary could not have been but absolutely shocked by the type of practices that were…

As always, the Minister of State is very welcome. I wish to address some of the key points in this Bill. The external oversight board, EOB, has been mentioned by almost every speaker at this point. We welcome the fact it is going to be set up on a statutory basis, but we in Sinn Féin still have issues with the Secretary General's ex officio membership on that oversight body while representative associations are not included. The Tánaiste is represented on the EOB by the Department's Secretary General in an ex offic…

I join others in wishing Martin Murray every success for a very happy retirement. I again thank him for everything he has done for us over many years. He will be sorely missed. I offer my congratulations to those MEPs who have been elected and in particular our two colleagues from the Chamber, the Deputy Leader, Regina Doherty, and my good friend and comrade Lynn Boylan. I wish everybody well those continuing counts. I am hoping to head back to Cork. I have been reliably informed that I will be eliminated this afte…