On Monday, there was an article in The Irish Times that highlighted the plight of postdoctoral research workers. It really does hammer home how poorly a large number of our academic staff are being treated at the moment. There was a survey by the Irish Federation of University Teachers that showed that one in three people employed in universities is employed on a precarious work contract, hourly contracts or fixed-term contracts. This was an issue that no less a person than Simon Harris promised to fix before he be…

I welcome the Minister of State. While Sinn Féin will vote in favour of this motion, concerns remain regarding how long it has taken to deliver. If this is the pace the Government is going with, we will never meet our 2030 targets, let alone achieve energy independence on this island. After 15 long months, we finally have a plan for offshore wind on the south coast. Although the delay was unacceptable in delivering the south coast DMAP, we recognise the important economic opportunity this represents - €3 billion to…

I welcome the Minister. This is a good day. Sinn Féin very much welcomes the passing of this Bill. We want to see it passed as soon as possible. I pay tribute to the Irish Cancer Society in particular for the work it has done and the campaign it fought valiantly to get this change over the line. As it pointed out in its own press release, there is no little irony in the fact that men can postpone paternity leave but women, up until now, are not able to do so. That fact alone speaks volumes. I wish to pay tribute to…

I welcome the Minister of State and our colleagues from AsIAm. I acknowledge the tremendous work of all members of the committee and especially Senator Carrigy, who has done a brilliant job on the report, its recommendations and building that all-party consensus, which is really important. Ultimately, we get the most effective change when we build the biggest, broadest possible coalition for change. I was following the debate from my office until recently and was struck by a number of Senators' contributions, to wh…

Well said.

I extend my condolences to our colleagues in Fianna Fáil in respect of the late Mary O’Rourke, who was an impressive politician. She was a trailblazer in her time for women in politics. The Ditch released further information today on the transmissions of war munitions through Irish airspace. It tells us that: Tonnes of munitions of war were transported to Israel through Irish sovereign airspace yesterday morning. Government knew four weeks ago that the same carrier ... illegally transported explosives for the ... I…

I am not out of time.

In fairness, that is not my fault.

Thirty seconds is enough, I promise the Cathaoirleach.

He is very kind to say that. My colleague Councillor Donna McGettigan highlighted just last night that a lady who has a complex series of issue went into University Hospital Limerick. Her blood pressure was taken and she was told she would have a long wait to see a doctor and have her bloods taken as there were 164 people waiting ahead of her. We are heading into another winter of crisis. We are 200 beds short in UHL and there is no plan to deal with the crisis. I ask the Minister who is not here, Deputy Stephen Do…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.