I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government agreed on 29th June, 2021, to propose, for the approval of Seanad Éireann, Shane Galligan to be a member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority on the Nomination of the Institute of Legal Cost Accountants, and pursuant to section 9 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, approves the appointment by the Government of Shane Galligan to be a member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority to fill a casual vacancy pursuant to Section 10(9) of the said Act…

I move: That the proposal 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, be referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)(b), which, not later than 16th July, 2021, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 7…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 1.30 p.m, and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 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 Government; No. 2, Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Bill 2021 - all Stages, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. or 15 minutes after t…

I thank colleagues for their contributions. Senator Seery Kearney is right in that we need a debate and not only on this sector as a number of industries will not recover in the way we hope they will. They will continue to need supports. A specific debate on the conditions that exist in the taxi industry is very relevant for us to discuss. Other colleagues have also asked for debates in the next number of weeks. Next week’s schedule is already accepted and agreed. I will be proposing the following week’s schedule t…

That is a good point.

That is a good point. To be fair, it is not up to us to tell anybody what to do, but it would be instructive for us to say how much national sports and, indeed, all sports should be enjoyed by everybody.

Point taken. That is no problem. I commend Senator Hoey on raising the issue of pay for secretarial assistants, SAs. The Senator may not be aware that we discuss the issue almost on a weekly basis at our leaders' meetings. There is work ongoing, but it is very slow, so I take on board her suggestion to write to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe. I will be happy to do that on behalf of the House today. There are two separate issues. T…

-----but we will be having ongoing debates regarding the issues pertaining to reopening, current variants and future variants. We will have debates about the impact of Covid for many moons to come. I will certainly organise a debate on the matter as quickly as I can in September. Senator Cassells asked for a debate on mental health. It is one of the issues we will speak about for many moons to come. The increased demand for the services of all providers - private charities and State providers - has increased signif…

I know. It is not for the want of debate, but I concur with the Senator that we need to have such a debate not just in this Chamber, but in the other House too and in wider society. Senator Paddy Burke is correct with regard to the marine planning Bill. I will make recommendations today that it be commenced in the Seanad so that we can get that debate and legislation moving in September. We have golden coasts that are abundant sources of natural energy and we need to get the Bill passed so that we can start using t…

Such a debate on China would be worthwhile. I have requested a date from the Minister but have not received a reply. Senator Conway spoke about tourists coming back. The debate in respect of hospitality will be ongoing daily for the next couple of days. Senator Gallagher thoughtfully spoke about the fact as schools, particularly primary schools, have closed for summer in recent weeks, it is an opportune time to pay tribute and thanks not just to the teaching staff, but to all the staff who mind and care for childre…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Public Service Pay Bill 2020 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 1.30 p.m., and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3 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, Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. or 15 minutes after the conclus…

I thank colleagues for their contributions. I echo what Senator Byrne has said. It is an ill wind that never blows any good and it is great news and will give a lift to all Irish people, particularly rugby fans, to have Conor Murray as captain. I wish the whole team every success in the tour. A number of colleagues have asked for a debate tomorrow on the reopening. I must apologise because I do not think it is possible as the schedule for tomorrow is already set and I am not sure I would get a rearranged schedule. …

On Senator Fitzpatrick's point, I will respectfully decline the request to write a letter to the Minister because I already know the answer. We cannot change what An Bord Pleanála is doing until we change the legislation. I have invited the Minister to come in after he announces his Housing for All plan on 13 July, which we are looking forward to hearing and will all hopefully support. I have invited him to come in, time permitting, to have a debate on that as soon as possible. Senator Gavan spoke about the review …

I am very happy to contribute to this debate. As we move closer to the light at the end of the tunnel that has been the horrible 16 months of the Covid pandemic, we are all reminded of this next global crisis, the one we were facing long before we ever knew what the word "Covid" meant, counted daily numbers or restricted our movements. It is one that we will face long after Covid has hopefully gone. The pandemic showed us how quickly the world can respond to an emergency when it is staring us right in the face. Wit…

The Order for Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Friday, 25 June 2021, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2021, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; and Nos. 3 and 4, motions regarding the continuance of certain sections of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and section 8 of…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and colleagues. Senator Cummins raised an issue that beggars belief. First of all, I do not actually believe we are building very many two-bedroom houses in our social housing stock. It makes no sense to put two small children, whether they are the same sex or not, in one bedroom knowing full well that in a number of years that bedroom will not be sufficient for them. We will end up having to move families from a house or home, or an area in which they have settled, into another area, whic…

I move: (1) That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Seanad on its rising on Tuesday, 22nd June, 2021, shall adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Friday, 25th June, 2021, in the Dáil Chamber, and unless otherwise ordered, 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 items set out in the Schedule to this paragraph and, accordingly, no…

I move: That the proposal 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, be referred to the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in accordance with Standing Order 71(2)( b ), which, not later than 7th July, 2021, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Ord…

I thank the Minister of State for his attendance in the House this morning to discuss this matter. I wish to raise the importance of Ireland’s implementation of the EU digital Covid certificate, or what we used to call the EU green certificate. As we are all aware, the Government has signed up to the EU Covid certificate with a start date of July 19, albeit two weeks later than the rest of our European colleagues. The certificate has been developed by the EU Commission over the last six months under their plan enti…

I thank the Minister of State. Respectfully, I have no doubt about ours or the Minister of State's intent but he has told me that we are still at design stage. I asked the question of how somebody would even apply. Are we going to log on to a website? Obviously, that has not been decided yet. These are the issues. How will it work? How will Irish citizens apply for a certificate? Who will give it to them? The Minister of State alluded to the fact that there will be three certificates. Will we go to three different …