I move: That, until further notice in the 26th Seanad, for the purposes of any division claimed, the Public Gallery and the Distinguished Visitors' Gallery shall be considered to be encompassed within the Seanad Chamber for the purposes of such a division only.

I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 57(1) and the approval of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, Seanad Éireann agrees that, in respect of the European Parliament Constituency for Midlands-North-West, Mr. Luke Ming Flanagan MEP, Mr. Chris MacManus MEP, Mr. Colm Markey MEP, and Ms. Maria Walsh MEP, may attend and be heard in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2021, and that the following arrangements shall apply: The proceedings shall commence at 2:30 p.m., shall not excee…

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 98 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Senator Rebecca Moynihan be appointed to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, until further notice in the 26th Seanad, a member of the Government or a Minister of State may request a waiver in relation to the pre-legislative consideration of Government Bills and the following procedure shall apply: (a) where a member of the Government or a Minister of State wishes to initiate a Bill pursuant to Standing Order 144 or 145 without pre-legislative consideration, he or she shall request a waiver in that reg…

I would like to add to the Chair's remarks on Belgium's national day and to wish the people there solidarity in light of the difficulties that they are going through with the adverse weather conditions and the loss of life they have experienced in the past 24 hours and, indeed, the expected floods today and tomorrow. We are mindful of them. We wish them safety in the next few days. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 254 – Overground Telecommunication Cabl…

I will go through some of the specific issues before the general thanks at the end of the session. Senators Gavan and Higgins raised an issue relating to some of the staff who work in this House. Our recording staff only contacted me in the last week. I am not sure if some of the people in this House are aware that we as a State worked with RTÉ as a State operator in the last number of years to conduct an internal audit of all of its staff going back for decades. A tremendous number of those people, who were indepe…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 254 - Overground Telecommunication Cables) Regulations 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 9th July, 2021.

I am a fast talker. Few Bills like this one have come before the Oireachtas in our time here in the past ten years. It is a difficult Bill to support because it is dividing society and excluding. That is obvious and accepted by everybody. It is not something anybody or any Government would do lightly. In some parts, it is even going against NPHET's advice, which is not something we have done since before Christmas and we do not do that lightly. I appreciate the dilemma the Government is facing between securing the …

The Order of Business is No. 71, motion 7, regarding Belarus, to be proposed by Senator Ward and to be taken without debate on the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 1, CervicalCheck Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2021 - all Stages, to be taken at 10.15 a.m. and the proceedings thereon, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion after 90 minutes 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; the Second…

To Senator Gallagher and Senator Boylan, I can only assume we all feel the same way with regard to the unilateral decision or intention relayed to us yesterday by Westminster and a Conservative Government. The statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, was incredibly strong and he speaks for all of us. As stated by Senator Boylan, the Stormont House Agreement is a treaty negotiated between all parties. It is the only framework that will be tolerated and used to deal with the legacy issues. Justi…

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

The Order of Business is No.1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sittings of the House on Thursday, 15 July and Friday, 16 July 2021 to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 – Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 10.45 a.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 60 minutes by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to…

I tell you, a Chathaoirligh, Ruth Lawlor is a cracking, energetic woman. It is Senator Buttimer’s privilege to work with her, as indeed it has been for many other Fine Gael politicians over the years. It is a real credit to her because she is one great woman. I wish her well and continued success in her career here in Leinster House campus. To answer Senator Buttimer's request, I will organise the debate on sexual health when we come back in September. To Senator Horkan I say we are all privileged to have him re-el…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, or the Order of the Seanad of Friday, 9th July, 2021, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Seanad on 15th and 16th July, 2021: (1) The Seanad on its rising on Tuesday, 13th July, 2021, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 15th July, 2021, in the Dáil Chamber, and the following arrangements shall apply: ( a ) Standing Orders 29 and 30 shall stand suspended; ( b ) The Order of Business…

An Cathaoirleach has a fine French accent. On behalf of all Members, I would like to wish our colleague, Senator Bacik, enormous congratulations. We all know, from working alongside her in here, that she is one of the most authentic women and politicians in Irish life. We would like to send her a message of congratulations and sincerest warm wishes from all of us. I would also like to congratulate our other colleagues in the House and, indeed, the candidates from all of our parties, who contested the election. Some…

I was looking at the Cathaoirleach with disbelief. It is incredible to think Councillor McGarvey has had such a successful career in what we would consider the autumn of his life. He is obviously still raring to go and I will send a letter to him on all our behalf today wishing him a happy birthday and continued success. Senator Dolan talked about the hospitality industry. Senator Keogan raised some of the concerns that have been shared with her. The difficulty is that nobody would willingly try to do something tha…

I look forward to the resolution. I acknowledge that the State is unfortunately the last port of call in these cases. These houses need to be fixed and that is the end of it. Senator Ardagh talked about cancer care. I was mindful, when Paul Reid was doing an interview on Saturday, that we need to get our hospitals back to a scenario where they are dealing with the normal health challenges that people have. That is why we can never have a lockdown again. It is empowering to hear that he is of that mindset. He talked…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36)(Appointed Day) Order 2021, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 11th June, 2021.

I move: That the proposal 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 accept the following measure: Regulation (EU) 2021/693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Justice Programme and repealing Regulation (E…

I move: That the Orders of Reference of the Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community, as agreed by Order of the Seanad of 25th September, 2020, as amended on 30th April, 2021, be further amended by the deletion in paragraph (7) of ‘30th July, 2021’ and the substitution therefor of ‘30th November, 2021’.