Senators Dolan, O'Sullivan, Currie and Ó Donnghaile referred to the publication of the protocol Bill, the unilateral move by the British Government to throw the negotiated international agreement under a bus. The only comment I can make, other than to accept Senator Ó Donnghaile's request to arrange a debate with, and receive an update from, the Minister as soon as possible, is that this is singularly the most partisan and self-serving manoeuvre that we have seen from Boris Johnson in his very coloured career to da…

It is only about his personal political survival and has nothing to do with the growth or development of the economy in Northern Ireland. I will try to get that update from the Minister as soon as I can. Senators O'Sullivan and Keogan spoke about the atrocity that occurred in Nigeria recently. I wish to put on record our condolences to the families of the 40 people who passed away and our good wishes to the 87 who were injured in that horrific attack. Senator Boylan spoke about Pride month. She also sought a debate…

I am in your hands and it is not my decision. I want to support the candidate status for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and we have done so in the Committee on European Union Affairs. We will have our Ukrainian colleagues and new friends here this afternoon. If colleagues are accepting of the motion to pass it without debate, I will not object to that. I just did not want to be unfair.

That is fine. It is agreed.

I move: "That Seanad Éireann agrees with the recommendation of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight that, in accordance with the provisions for the address to Seanad Éireann by Distinguished Persons, a delegation of members of the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, consisting of Ms. Lesia Vasylenko MP, Mr. Rostyslav Tistyk MP, Ms. Alyona Shkrum MP, Mr. Dmytro Natalukha MP, be invited to address Seanad Éireann on Tuesday, 14th June, 2022, and, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, un…

I move: "That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on 15th and 16th June, 2022: (1) The Seanad shall meet at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 15th June, 2022, and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) Commencement matters shall be taken at 10.30 a.m. and up to six matters may be selected by the Cathaoirleach for discussion; ( b ) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended;…

I move: "That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2022, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 30th May, 2022.”

I move: "That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 95(3)) (Variation of title: Chiropodist) Regulations 2022, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 27th April, 2022.”

I welcome the ambassador and I hope he and all Danish citizens have a lovely day next week. The Order of Business is No.1, Private Members' business, Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 - Second Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m., with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours.

In response to Senator Murphy, one would sometimes think there was nothing whatever but bad news from the discourses sometimes in both our Houses of Parliament. I acknowledge we do not get everything right, but when we do get things right they need to be at least acknowledged. The announcement of post office funding this week was very welcome, as was the announcement of rural and agriculture shows funding. Senator Horkan talked about the difficulties the Irish public experienced and witnessed in Dublin Airport last…

The ambassador is very welcome. I thank him for being with us to celebrate Croatia's day of independence. The young people in the Gallery are pupils and teachers from Pope John Paul II National School in Malahide. They are very welcome. It is lovely to see young faces all around Leinster House these days. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the extension of period of operation of sections 1 to 7, inclusive, and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021, to be taken on conclusion of the Ord…

Cara sounds like a remarkable young lady. The example she is setting is phenomenal. I welcome her and wish her every success in her exams in the next couple of weeks and in the task she will be taking on next year. We talk a lot here about the stress that our leaving and junior certificate students go through. From the smile on her face since she arrived into the Chamber this morning, it seems that Cara does not need to be stressed at all. I congratulate her and her mum and dad, who are incredibly proud of her for …

I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a further period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June, 2022 and ending on the 30th day of November, 2022.

I ask for leave for the Minister to speak to the amendment we have just rejected on the basis that we did not discuss it within the grouping. The Government's intention was never to oppose the premise of the amendment. The Minister would like to address the House for one minute, if that is okay.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 95(3)) (Variation of title: Chiropodist) Regulations 2022, referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 - Committee Stage (Resumed), to be taken at 2.15 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.30 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 3, motion regarding arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by Congressman Richard N…

Senators Dolan, Murphy and Kyne raised the IFA meeting in Corofin last night, which outlined the importing costs, the threats to food security, the increase in the cost of fertiliser and the absence of meal. While Senators have welcomed the supports from the Government, they are looking for a debate on food security and I will organise that in the next week or so. Senator Currie and others talked about passports and highlighted the concerns that were raised in the newspapers this morning. I can cite my own bizarre …

I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Section 95(3)) (Variation of title: Chiropodist) Regulations 2022, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 27th April, 2022, be referred to the Joint Committee on Health, in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)( b ), which, not later than 21st June, 2022, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 75, and Standing Or…

In the presence of Ambassador Cronin and former Ministers Charlie Flanagan and Noel Dempsey, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Congressman Neal and all of the distinguished guests that we have here today. We are really proud to have him as a visitor to our shores but I know it is not the first time; he has been here many times. Protecting the peace on our island is such an important issue to all of us, not least to Congressman Neal. We can very easily say that he is a true friend of Ireland and I thank him for…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Tuesday 24 May, 2022, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 97(1), Private Members' business, motion on carbon policy, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to adjourn after two hours if not previously concluded.

Senator Dolan raised the announcement during the week by the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, who has responsibility for special education and inclusion, on her intention to impose or invoke certain schools to take on special classes. It probably pained her to have to do that because it is a terrible indictment of the relationship between schools and the Department. Both say they want the same things yet they use certain circumstances to their own advantage. We should all be more attuned to the needs of children …