I move: That the proposal 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, be referred to the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)( b ), which, not later than 6th December, 2021, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 75, and Standing Order 77(2) shall accordin…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I will be sharing time with Senator Lombard.

The Horticultural Peat (Temporary Measures) Bill is an attempt to find a just solution to provide for a just transition. I wish to put on the record of the House that drafting this Bill for the 35 members of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael was a last resort to solving this problem, which, I believe, has been kicked down the road for far too long. What is in this Bill is a workable solution for an industry in crisis. The horticultural sector is facing an enormous crisis caused by a shortage of supply. By no choice of thei…

I echo the Cathaoirleach's comments. We often talk about the wonderful people who work in the environs of this place we call our job, and I have always stated that there are some incredibly special people who mind us, look after us and help us every day. Christy is an absolute gem of a gentleman. I cannot believe he is here 40 years. It is a real testament to the character he is. Not very many people can cite 40 years' service in any particular job, certainly not of my generation and younger. I wish him and Paula c…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Bill 2021 – Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 2.15 p.m. and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion at 4.30 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government; No. 2, statements on children in care and children leaving care, to be taken at 5 p.m. or 15 minutes afte…

I could not agree more with Senator Ward, particularly since our swimming pools were closed for such a prolonged period. Even people who are not as brave as some of those who have been doing it for years have taken to our seas. I see it outside my office in Skerries all the time. It is just wonderful. The very least people expect is for the water to be tested and for guarantees to be given. I do not know if Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in the Senator's neck of the woods, continues to test, but Fingal Coun…

That accentuates the problem and makes it even larger than it seems. I will try to organise a debate on that level of consumption and the State's reaction to that growing issue. Senator Horkan and others raised an issue. It is interesting to see that for every person who gives out about the fact that new restrictions may come in between now and Christmas, there is another who would very much welcome such restrictions. That is not only the case in here, but in society. Society is very divided at the moment. People n…

However, I will certainly organise a debate. There is one scheduled with the Tánaiste on business supports in the next couple of weeks, but I have attempted to seek debates from a health perspective, a transport perspective and a business perspective and I will organise them as soon as I get dates. Senator Carrigy, among others, mentioned the lockdown issue. I listened to Mr. David McRedmond on RTÉ this morning and heard his welcome call seeking more business to be put through the An Post network of more than 900 p…

Senator Ahearn spoke about the need to shop local, particularly this year. It is probably more important this year than it has ever been. We will have campaigns in all our localities to try to support businesses on our high streets. It is absolutely vital given how businesses have been afflicted in the last 18 months. Senators Ardagh and Boyhan mentioned the passing of permission last night for 853 homes to be built on Oscar Traynor Road. That is very welcome. Senator Keogan spoke about violence against women and t…

Bualadh bos, a Chathaoirligh.

The Order of Business today is No. 1, address by the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, to be taken at 1.30 p.m. in accordance with the arrangement set out in the motion agreed by the House on Tuesday, 16 November 2021; and No. 2, statements on the Air Accident Investigation Unit's final report into the Rescue 116 air accident, to be taken at 3.30 p.m. and to conclude at 5 p.m. with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed 15 minutes and that to group spokespersons not to exceed ten mi…

I thank Senator Murphy for raising the wonderful achievement of those three young men in Strokestown. It goes to show that where there is a will, there is a way. When something is a passion for people, they put all their efforts into it. It is worthy for the Senator to commend them here, particularly given their young age and the experience that Jack has recovered from. I wish them well. The Senator is right. The entertainment sector has probably been the most affected by the decisions made this week. Without doubt…

I will be fast. The Taoiseach is incredibly welcome to the Seanad. As the Cathaoirleach pointed out, he has held a number of offices in what can only be described as a very long and distinguished public record, starting off in Cork and rising all of the way through the ranks to Taoiseach. I am very pleased that he is my Taoiseach. It is an honour for me to be his representative in this House, and I thank him for giving me that honour. As the Taoiseach alluded to, politics can be very adversarial, in particular when…

I propose that we extend the sitting of the House for 20 minutes.

On 14 March 2017, Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, Ciarán Smith and Paul Ormsby went to work and never came home. While we are here talking about reports and 71 recommendations, which I will get to in a second, the families of those four people, who did nothing every single day of their working lives but try to keep us safe, are dealing with grief beyond imagination. They are the people who have to go to funerals and we are the people who have to browse reports and recommendations. Some of those families, as the House…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding defence of legal proceedings by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, a motion regarding the arrangements for the address to the House by An Taoiseach on Thursday, 18 November 2021, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1 without debate; No. 3, motion re Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2021, back from committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2, without debate; No. 4, motio…

A number of colleagues have asked, either directly or indirectly, for a debate on Covid-19 and our management of same. A number of Ministers could potentially come to the House to answer questions on financial supports and restrictions, whether they be for our good health or otherwise but a separate debate is also needed on the ill-effects of Covid on the delivery of what we would consider normal health services in the country. I would rather not conflate the two issues because they are very different. It is easy f…

That is exactly what it is but I fear that we may be back here in a couple of months talking about four vaccine doses. We need to genuinely learn how to live with Covid. We need to really recognise the seasonality around it. We absolutely need to support businesses and workers to make sure they do not feel the ill-effects of Covid. We have tried to cushion them over the last 18 months and it is important that we keep doing so. Senator Boylan spoke about the motor insurance industry report. It is really disappointin…

I beg the Senator's pardon. I will send a note to the Minister of State this afternoon. I am not sure if it is his role to interfere in the two bodies but he can certainly have a quiet word to find out if there is anything that the State can do to try to make uniformity break out again.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the proceedings in respect of the Statement by An Taoiseach on Thursday, 18th November, 2021, shall commence at 1.30 p.m. and shall conclude no later than 3 p.m., and shall consist of: ( a ) a speech of welcome by the Cathaoirleach which shall not exceed 4 minutes; ( b ) an opening Statement by An Taoiseach which shall not exceed 10 minutes; ( c ) a contribution by the Leader of the House which shall not exceed 5 minutes; ( d ) a…