There is a lot of showing off today. I add my name to the good wishes to Cáit. I cannot believe that she is retiring because she is far too young, but we all agree that she is an absolute pro to her fingertips. She is a lovely lady and I wish her well. Senators Fitzpatrick and Sherlock both raised the Fórsa campaign that was launched yesterday, #RespectforSNAs. It is one of the largest groups of workers in the country, with 18,000 members. Anybody who has a child with a special need that has had the mostly positive…

I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

I thank the Minister of State for attending. I appreciate his time. I have submitted a Commencement matter to call for the publication of the Indecon report on disabilities. The Minister of State will be aware that I was the Minister in 2018 when the Cabinet was good enough to give the money to do the research. As with most of us, I can see daily that the social welfare supports on offer from the Department of Social Protection and various other Departments do not really cut the mustard when it comes to recognising…

I welcome everything the Minister of State has said on behalf of the Minister. I know the memorandum to Cabinet yesterday only sought permission to publish the report. What we need to see now is action on the recommendations. I know from speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that she will bring the report to the steering group next week. The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and I both know that the might of the Taoiseach's office is needed to direct and manage the recommendations on a quarterly basis.…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding Orders of Reference of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding pre-legislative consideration of Government Bills, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, the 13th report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight on the amendment of Standing Order 78, to be taken on conclusion of No. 2, without debate; No. 4, motion regarding the establ…

Senators Cummins, Malcolm Byrne and Carrigy raised the issue of the supports that are needed for the not-for-profit sector in the theatre and arts industry. The schedule is very busy this week but I will do my best to organise something next week. The Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, met representatives of the industry yesterday, so I hope to hear some fruitful announcements arising from that. I will keep the Senators posted. I congratulate Senator Dolan. The inclusion of Ballinasloe will make a …

I move: That the Order of the Seanad of 21st September, 2021, in relation to the pre-legislative consideration of Government Bills, is hereby discharged.”

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders— (1) a Special Committee consisting of five members of Seanad Éireann be appointed, to be joined with a Special Committee to be appointed by Dáil Éireann, to form the Joint Committee on Gender Equality; (2) the Joint Committee shall consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality, together with the response of the Government to each such recommendation, having regard to the open letter to the Oireachtas conta…

I move: That the proposal that, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 2 of the Ombudsman Act 1980, and subsection (4) of section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, Seanad Éireann recommends the appointment of Mr. Ger Deering, by the President to be the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, be referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)( b ), which, not later than 14th December, 2021, shall send a message to the Seanad in…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 24th November, 2021."

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Sectoral Employment Order (Electrical Contracting Sector) 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 19th November, 2021."

Our Cathaoirleach is certainly unique and one in a million. Every day is a school day. I did not know Santa was from Finland. Happy Finnish day on Monday. The Order of Business is No.1, motion regarding the arrangements of the sitting of the House tomorrow Friday, 3 December 2021, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No.2, statements on Covid-19 and the new measures from the Department of Education, to be taken today at 1 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.30 p.m., with the time…

I thank Senator Dolan for mentioning the Connecting Ireland campaign. It is the first national campaign we have had to highlight the deficits that exist in connectivity. The Senator highlighted the situation in Athlone in particular, which makes no sense. I have only become aware of this since my son is now working in Athlone and he must walk 2 km to get the nearest bus, which seems a bit mad. It is a very worthwhile campaign and I thank the Senator for raising it here today. Senators Cummins and McGahon both raise…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business: (1) The Seanad shall meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, 3rd December, 2021 and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) Standing Orders 29 and 30 shall stand suspended; ( b ) there shall be no Order of Business; ( c ) the business to be taken shall be confined to the item set out in the Schedule to this paragraph and, accordingly, no other business shall be taken unless the Seanad shall otherwise order on motion made by the Lead…

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the draft Planning and Development (Large-scale Residential Development Fees) Regulations 2021 and its referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Sectoral Employment Order (Electrical Contracting Sector) 2021, referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, Private Members' business, Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) B…

I thank Senator Warfield for raising those three issues. I am happy to send a letter to the Taoiseach. I thought he did actually respond that evening but maybe that was wishful thinking on my part. I will send a letter and will send a copy of it to Senator Warfield. It was probably on Wednesday last week that the pay and conditions of SAs was discussed-----

I was not here for the Order of Business. What I think is bizarre, given the restrictions that Senators must operate under, is I am not sure why we have a secretarial assistant. We all know that the secretarial assistants to our Dáil colleagues do all of the constituency work. Most of us do not have constituencies. It is the job of Senators to scrutinise and be that second pair of eyes to enhance and embellish legislation that is brought forward, whether Private Members' Bills or Government Bills. Senator Warfield …

Senator Cassells raised the online safety and media regulation Bill and the huge body of work that has been done by the cross-party committee. I do not yet have an indication as to when that Bill will come before us. I will raise it with the Minister and the Department today and come back to the Senator on it. Senator Moynihan raised the TRIPS waiver and the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021. I read with interest the reports in this morning's papers. I do not have an answer to the questions and qu…

I move: That Seanad Éireann – - expresses its deep sadness on the death of Professor George Eogan; - conveys its sincere condolences to his family; and - expresses its gratitude for his notable contribution, and a member of Seanad Éireann, to Irish public life and for his dedicated service to the people of Ireland.

I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development (LRD Fees) Regulations 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 24th November, 2021, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)( b ), which, not later than 7th December, 2021, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 75, and Standing Order 77(2) shall accord…