I commend the speech on the Bill by Senator Martin in particular. I welcome the Bill on behalf of Sinn Féin. I commend my colleagues, Deputies Ó Laoghaire and Martin Kenny, on first raising in the Dáil in 2019 the issues attached to the Bill. Both Deputies moved a similar Bill that alerted the Government to a loophole in legislation governing the legal administration of privately-owned security firms. In the course of the debate in the Dáil it was well received by Members who spoke of all parties. It was this looph…

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to take No. 18, the National Minimum Wage (Removal of Sub-minimum Rates of Pay) Bill 2021, ahead of No. 1. I will raise two issues today. I wish the talks between the hospitality sector and the Government well today. We are all anxious to see progress and to see indoor dining becoming possible as soon as it is safe to do so. I wish to draw attention to one thing. This morning, Adrian Cummins stated that he wanted all partners in the room and he is right to say that. I…

Well said.

Well said.

Well said.

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to end sub-minimum rates of pay for those who have attained the age of 16, and for those who are entering their first two years of employment.

Next Monday.

It is good to see the Minister of State. He know he is always welcome. I would normally agree with Senator Mullen. There is something very uncomfortable about rushing Bills through this House. However, I can fully understand the Minister of State's logic. Westmeath dispatched Laois with ease at the weekend, Kildare will be a mere formality and the Leinster final awaits so I fully understand why the Minister of State needs to get this legislation through as quickly as possible. Sinn Féin will be supporting the legis…

I move amendment No. 80: In page 16, line 14, to delete “, if appropriate,”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 81: In page 16, to delete lines 18 to 21. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 82: In page 16, lines 29 to 39, to delete all words from and including “Oireachtas” in line 29 down to and including line 39 and substitute the following: “Oireachtas. (12) The carbon budget approved by the Oireachtas shall be binding as far as is practicable on the State and all Public Authorities within the State for the budget period to which it relates.”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 83: In page 16, line 29, after “Oireachtas” to insert “for approval”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 84: In page 16, line 37, to delete “A Minister of the Government shall” and substitute “The Government and a Minister of the Government shall”. I will withdraw this amendment and reserve the right to submit it on Report Stage.

I move amendment No. 96: In page 19, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(c) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3): “(3) (a) The chairperson and ordinary members (other than the ordinary members to who subsection (2) applies) of the Advisory Council shall be appointed by the President— (i) on the advice of the Government, and (ii) following the passing of a resolution of each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment. (b) Where a vacancy arises, or is anticipat…

It is nice to see the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, who is welcome. Before I address the detail of this Bill, I extend to all of the workers affected by recent Government decisions, and particularly those workers in the catering and pubs sector, my party's support and solidarity in these difficult times. I thank them for their patience as they have had to manage so many false dawns when it has come to reopening their premises as well as the hardship they and their staff have experienced with many workers …

That is the context in which I want to speak, as Sinn Féin tabled amendment No. 3 in the group. I want to start by reading the amendment into the record because climate justice is crucial to this matter. We propose that: 'climate justice' means the principle that global climate action should be undertaken, as agreed in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 'on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities'. Accordingly, t…

I will be brief and ask the Minister for some clarity. I welcome that he has made some acknowledgement of this subject this afternoon, but I am still not clear on one aspect and I seek further clarity directly in this regard. This will probably be the best opportunity I will have to ask him why he will not accept our amendments. What is it in the wording, which has been suggested by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition of Trócaire, Oxfam, Concern and Christian Aid Ireland, that he is objecting to? It is important we un…

No worries; I have been called worse.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 6, to delete lines 34 and 35, and in page 7, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following: "'climate justice' means the principle that global climate action should be undertaken, as agreed in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 'on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities'. Accordingly, the developed country Parties should take the lead in combating climate change and the adve…

Well said.