I will be brief. First, I hear what the Minister of State is saying. I acknowledge that he is doing his best to meet these concerns. I put on record that this is a good move overall. It is important that in most cases we will find out who the companies are. That was a flaw in the original Act of 2015. Sinn Féin is supportive of the legislation but we have one concern, which is why I will press a little further. The concern is the idea that a worker's name could be published by the WRC against his or her wishes. Tha…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "(b) The Commission shall not include in a published decision the name of a party to proceedings where it is felt that to do so would detrimentally impact on either party specifically with reference to the capacity of a party to secure employment in the future.".

I move amendment No. 3: In page 10, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: "(b) The Commission shall not include in a published decision the name of a party to proceedings where it is felt that to do so would detrimentally impact on either party specifically with reference to the capacity of a party to secure employment in the future.".

Well said.

I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber this evening. Like other Senators, I am genuinely taken aback by this report. At the same time, I am conscious that the Minister said it is very detailed. I have not yet read it as thoroughly as I would like to but I went through as much as I could in the time available this afternoon. Like previous speakers, I was genuinely taken aback by the language. I appreciate the Minister is in a difficult position and I do not want to make that position any more difficult. I be…

When the report makes reference to the "Jadotville bandwagon", what does that say about the very honourable efforts of my colleague beside me, Senator Craughwell, and other colleagues across all parties? I pay particular tribute to Senator Craughwell because I know how passionate he has been about this issue for so long. I also mention my colleague who is now in the Dáil, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, who has spoken passionately about this issue on many occasions, and, equally, Senator McGahon. It is rare that we all agree…

It is targeted towards undermining the sincere work of Senators from across this House. What is motivating that? This honestly does not look like a balanced report to me. I do not think anyone would disagree. I am interested in finding out whether the Minister stands over the language used in the report. Does he stand over the very dismissive comments aimed at Senators from all parties? I must be honest here, and I am only offering an opinion, but it looks as if there was a predetermined agenda in terms of major as…

Colleagues have raised the issue of birth partners on several occasions. I wish to raise it specifically in respect of Limerick maternity hospital. There continue to be issues with access for birth partners. The Leader will agree with me that birth partners are an essential part of a woman's healthcare at every stage of pregnancy. Service users still face several restrictions in Limerick maternity hospital. They still labour alone for hours or days until they undergo a now mandatory vagina examination to determine …

It is nice to see the Minister of State again. It is clear what is going on here. There is a well co-ordinated effort by Government Senators to ensure we do not get to talk about the tax sweetheart deal in section 15. It is a shameful deal to exempt cuckoo funds, investor funds and vulture funds from tax. It means that first-time buyers will be disadvantaged and ridiculous leasing deals, whereby the council does not get to own anything, will be concluded.

Of course I will not be allowed to speak because all our Government Senators are determined to ensure that we do not get to debate it. Why? It is because they are so embarrassed in defending the indefensible.

The Government Senators have collectively and successfully talked down the hour so that the key issue of tax exemptions for cuckoo funds cannot be discussed. People can see what is going on here.

It is good to see the Minister of State. I again offer him my good wishes for Thursday. I wish to speak briefly in support of the amendment. It is good of Senator Higgins to acknowledge that my colleague, Deputy O'Reilly, tabled an identical amendment in the Dáil. It essentially comes down to ensuring that workers are given a say at these very difficult times that can arise in any business. Two months ago, I had a conversation with a man who had worked for a small business for 30 years. He had given his life to the…

I want to reiterate a couple of points that have just been made. On the Minister of State’s response, those existing rules around consultation do not apply to micro companies. There is no requirement for consultation regarding someone working in a company of, I think, fewer than nine or ten people. I stand to be corrected. That is the situation the employee I spoke to a couple of months back was in. He was in a state of shock that he had no say or right of being consulted. That does not even mean negotiation. There…

It is a pity Senator Garvey has not been paying attention. We in Sinn Féin are supporting the Bill. We supported it on its previous Stage as well.

We are simply pointing out, as per Senator Higgins's amendment, that we believe it could be improved in this area. As I said, let us try to pay attention.

It was a wonderful weekend. Let me join with others in congratulating our now former colleague, Deputy Ivana Bacik, on a tremendous result in the election on Friday. As others have said, she has been a wonderful colleague over the years. All of us wish her well and know that she will do well in the Lower House. I wish her well. Congratulations to Italy on a wonderful climax to the football tournament yesterday. Commiserations to our neighbours in England and solidarity to those poor players who have suffered racist…

I offer solidarity to those players. It was a wonderful tournament and we all wish everyone well at the end of it. I will raise an issue that I bring up from time to time, a matter on which I always ask for a debate but that has not happened yet. That matter is the continuing use by US troops of Shannon Airport. I was at a well-attended protest yesterday. We need to reflect on where we are in terms of Shannon Airport and its use by the US military. Since the attacks of 11 September 2001, it is estimated that 5 mill…

It is nice to see the Minister of State and I wish him well for his big day on Thursday. There is more or less unified agreement that there has long been a need for the examinership-lite model and that is what the small company administrative rescue process Bill attempts to deliver. There are many welcome aspects of the Bill, which outlines the small company administrative rescue process. However, the success or failure of the process will boil down to two things, namely, speed and cost. The new process must not on…

I apologise but, on a point of order, are copies of the Minister of State's speech available?

It is nice to see the Minister of State. As he will be aware, we have been very constructive in supporting these financial provisions Acts regarding the pandemic but we will not be supporting this one because of the outrageous clauses that reward cuckoo funds and vulture funds with sweetheart tax deals. That is exactly what they are. Interestingly, the history of these ridiculous schemes where instead of buying and building houses local councils lease houses from investment funds was started by Fianna Fáil in 2009 …