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, Congressman Richard Neal be invited to address Seanad Éireann on Tuesday, 24th May, 2022, and, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, unless otherwise ordered, the following arrangements shall apply: (i) The Seanad shall meet at 12 noon on Tuesday, 24th May, 2022; (ii) Commencement matters shall…

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on a recent media report regarding governance in local authorities, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to conclude no later than 3 p.m., with the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, all Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be given no less than seven minutes to reply to the debate.

We all wish Pete continued success. May the Cathaoirleach enjoy the anniversary on Saturday. Senator Paddy Burke was seeking a debate on infrastructure, particularly in the west. There is a standing request in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for a debate on the national development plan. I will chase that up again today. Senator Dolan recounted her tour of Holles Street hospital this morning. The building has been creaking at the seams for decades. Patches and short-term alterations do not cut the musta…

The Order of Business is No. a 1, report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 1, Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6.15 p.m., with the opening contributions of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, all Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be given not less than seven minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Birth Information and Tracing Bill 202…

I agree with Senator Dolan about the conference. We all know that from a party perspective it is nice to get together with friends from around the country because we only get to see them every couple of years and it is a lovely event. For me, the vibrancy, engagement, grit and determination that can only be got in rural Ireland were evident in the room on Saturday and it was lovely to see that our rural cousins are in fighting form and are not taking some of the issues we talk about in here week in, week out lying …

I know.

I absolutely hear the Senator on that.

I will pass it on but he will be here at 6.30 p.m. but we will pass on the Senator's concerns before that anyway.

Not at all. Senator Conway talked about the school building project and looking for a debate on it. The 9% VAT rate and staff shortage within the hospitality industry were also raised. The industry tells us often about the latter issue but I am not sure work permits for people from outside the EU are consistently the answer when we have 150,000 people on the live register. We need to think outside the box sometimes. Senator Chambers opened today requesting a debate on childcare. I am in the lovely position of being…

I move: "That the 12th report of the Committee of Selection be laid before Seanad Éireann".

I thank the Cathaoirleach and wish colleagues a good afternoon. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence relating to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes at Eurojust, to be taken upon conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; and No. 2, Merchant Shipping (Investigation of…

I thank my colleagues. I probably have not been to an agricultural conference before, but I very much look forward to it this weekend, in particular to raise the flag for the horticultural growers in Ireland, who probably have not had much presence on the Fine Gael agricultural committee in the past ten years. There are some 450 delegates and some good speakers, and it will be an opportunity for us to re-engage with the farming community this weekend. Senator Keogan asked for a debate on the WHO treaty. That is no …

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the Europea…

The ambassador is very welcome to the Chamber this morning. I congratulate her on her appointment and wish her every success during her stay in Ireland. I pay particular tribute to the enormous generosity and heart that Polish people have shown their neighbours. Some 3 million refugees from Ukraine have either arrived and stayed or passed through Poland. The humbleness of the response and generosity of the Polish people is something of which we should all be in awe. It is definitely something to bestow. I thank the…

I thank Senator Lombard. The key to reconciliation is owning our past. There are parts of it we are all incredibly proud of. The bits we are not proud of sometimes get swept under the carpet or we pretend they did not happen. I am glad the Senator brought up the Bandon Valley. There is no finer man than Paul Colton to deal with something in an empathetic and emotionally appropriate way. To Senator Maria Byrne, I am at a loss that week in, week out she has to bring up University Hospital Limerick here. There is a pl…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing time with my joint sponsors, Senators Chambers and Pauline O'Reilly. In far too many ways our criminal justice system is a cold place for the victims of violent crimes but none more so than women. It is a very harsh system for women to navigate, especially when it comes to sexual and gender-based violence. We know the victims here are mostly women and children. Globally, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence. At home, there were 855…

First, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O’Brien, and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for their attendance here today. I welcome the Government’s support for this Bill. While the Bill is not perfect, I welcome the commitment to work with us to address some of the issues. I particularly welcome the sexual offences Bill that is due to be published later this year. It will on board the recommendation made in the O'Malley report that legal representation be provided for victi…

Next Tuesday.

I welcome everybody back. I am looking forward to a productive number of months ahead. I will move a motion for the expression of sympathy by the House at the end of the Order of Business. Today's Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 60(6)) (Office of the Ombudsman) Regulations 2022, back from committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to adjou…

A number of different topics were raised. I want to acknowledge Senator Dolan's mention of the official launch by the Minister for Justice of Horses for Hope in Roscommon last week. It is part of a wider initiative and conversation we need to have in how we rehabilitate people who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in prison, which Senator Ruane often talks about here. As part of a wider conversation, we need to discuss how we rehabilitate people who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in prison becaus…