I second the amendment.

It is good to see the Minister. I do not know how much contact he has had with these workers but when you speak to them and hear about the constraints on their lives because of the lack of a decent public service contract, you discover they have to sign on every summer and have to take out credit union loans to get through that summer because they only get the money for the dole by the time they go back to work in September. You discover it is almost impossible for them to qualify for a mortgage and they are unable…

Not at all. I again thank the Minister. I hear his engagement and I absolutely accept it. The blockage in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is entirely unacceptable. Of course, there is also collective Cabinet responsibility. It is up to the Cabinet to resolve this matter without further delay. The Minister acknowledged how important this work and the issue of adult literacy is, yet these workers have been forgotten. That has been the reality for far too long. Is an…

I welcome the Minister. On behalf of Sinn Féin I want to say that in the round we welcome this Bill. The process of applying for jobs can be a gruelling and protracted one. At the very least, those setting out on this journey deserve to be able to see in advance what pay is being offered. Equally, existing workers deserve to see the pay being offered to new recruits within the sector. This Bill achieves both of these aims while also levelling the playing field for companies that already provide this level of transp…

Well said.

Well said.

Deliberately.

Well said.

Well said.

Well said.

I commend what Senator Boyhan said regarding the mother and baby redress scheme. Anyone who heard our colleague, Samantha Long, on "The Late Debate" last night could not but be moved. I hope there is political will across the Chamber to make the necessary amendments to that Bill when it comes before this House.

I also ask for a debate on the horrific murders in the West Bank yesterday. Among those killed by Israeli forces were a 72-year-old man, a 16-year-old boy and a 66-year-old man who died of tear gas inhalation. I will quote from the Al Jazeera report that detailed this yesterday, where Nida' Ibrahim stated: We are hearing stories that Israeli forces were shooting at the neighbours, people in their houses, people going about their daily lives. [Crucially, he adds that:] Palestinians say Israel is acting this way beca…

I welcome the Minister. It is good to hear such a positive conversation on rail across the Chamber. I am really curious to see what that strategic rail review looks like. It set out a number of really important goals in addition to contributing to decarbonisation, such as improving all-Ireland connectivity, enhancing regional rural accessibility, encouraging sustainable mobility and fostering economic activity. My concern is that the Minister seems to be saying we will need to wait until the Assembly in the Six Cou…

The Minister is very welcome. I commend every word Senator Seery Kearney just said. The people of Ireland have an affinity with those who need protection and shelter. It is in an affinity born from our history of colonisation, oppression and dispossession. Just over 150 years ago, so many of our people escaped the starvation of An Gorta Mór by fleeing to the four corners of the world. Through our history, we understand what it means to be forced to flee in fear and heartbreak for our beloved homeland. We know the l…

Well said.

Well said.

That is not actually a good thing.

I welcome the Minister and it is good to see her again. I wish to congratulate Deputy Smyth and all members of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media on their fine report. It calls out the issues across this industry in a very clear way and I commend all of the members of the committee. I was lucky enough to attend one of the committee's sessions. It was a really powerful one in terms of the witnesses who came along to speak about the very stark reality, in all too many cases, of their worki…

I never mentioned unsocial hours.

Not enough.