Second Stage is to conclude.

My thanks to colleagues for the variety of topics raised today. I will ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to come and have a debate with us on reopening. I think we will have many debates on reopening society, communities and our economy in the coming weeks, but certainly a debate about the long-term future of financing third level education is relevant. I will send that request out today. I am happy to accept the amendment of Senator Ward and allow the Bill to be pu…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Dumping at Sea Act 1996 (Section 5(12)) (Commencement) Order 2021, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 3rd February, 2021.

The Order of Business is No. 1, the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2020, Second Stage, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude after 65 minutes with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed seven minutes and the Minister to be given no less than five minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, statements on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's response to Covid-19, to be taken at 3.20 p.m. and to conclude at 5 p.m. with the contribution of gr…

I will certainly pass on the comments of Senator Keoghan and her colleagues in local government on the Taoiseach's proposed visit to the White House. Essential travel needs to continue if the world economy is to continue to support those who cannot support themselves temporarily because of the impact of Covid on our lives and society. I genuinely believe and hope, as we all do, that society will re-emerge later this year. Our relationship with the United States is certainly key in the context of our hope that our e…

Senator Gallagher will have to forgive me. I did not get to his contribution and I apologise. There is absolutely a need for co-operation between North and South. The Irish people are exasperated, listening to us calling for politicians, North and South, to co-operate and yet it does not happen. We put blocks and obstacles in our way and while they might be political, the people do not care. They just want us to get on and do it. I will contact the Minister for Justice today. I know she is in contact with her count…

The Order of Business today is No. 1, motion regarding the appointment of members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the reappointment of the Ombudsman for Children, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1 without debate; No. 3, statements on the Covid-19 vaccine programme, to be taken at 2 p.m. and to conclude at 4 p.m., with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, all other Senators …

I will let the Cathaoirleach off the hook.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his good wishes. It is one of those birthdays that makes one get a bit wobbly.

Yes, but they come a bit faster as one gets older. I say to Senator Cummins that the construction sector is an interesting one. I agree with him that, first, there is a need for a debate and, second, there is a need for clarity as to what is essential and what is not. While we can all say absolutely that the building of every single house, whether it is an apartment in a very salubrious area or all the way up and down the list, I do believe that they are essential. Again, it is against a backdrop of where we were t…

I move: That Seanad Éireann, noting that the Government on 6th January, 2021 nominated Emily Logan and Hugh Hume for appointment by the President to be members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, recommends, pursuant to section 65(1)( b ) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, that Emily Logan and Hugh Hume be appointed by the President to be members of the Commission.

I move: That Seanad Éireann recommends Dr. Niall Muldoon for re-appointment by the President to be Ombudsman for Children.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in the Order of the Seanad of 18 December, 2020, the sitting be now suspended until 3 p.m., and on the resumption, the sitting shall continue in the Dáil Chamber, and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) Standing Orders 29 and 30 shall stand suspended; (ii) The Order of Business shall be taken at 3 p.m.

The Order of Business No. 1, motion regarding the eighth report of the Seanad Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; and No. 2, statements on the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, to be taken at 4.40 p.m., or 15 minutes after the conclusion of the Order of Business, whichever is the later, and to adjourn at 6.30 p.m., with contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and those of a…

I thank colleagues and welcome everyone back to the House. I wish a happy new year to them and to their families and constituents. In particular, I wish a happy and safe new year to all the staff members in Leinster House, who are working around the clock to ensure we are all safe. It is incumbent on us to ensure we respect people's genuine concerns and we will conduct our business over the coming weeks, reflecting those concerns, as efficiently as possible. As we have the security of coming back for a full day on …

I move: That the report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight on the amendment of Standing Order 45 and temporary Standing Order 60A, and the substitution of "Chairperson" for references to "Chairman" be adopted, laid before the House and printed.

I thank the Minister for the contribution he made at the outset of this debate because his determination to do the right thing by our survivors and their families and children is evident every time he speaks. I do not in any way underestimate the complexity of the task the commission of inquiry into mother and baby homes undertook. Much of the report is a valuable and comprehensive history of a period of Ireland's history that most people would want to forget and pretend never happened. It is, however, something we…

Next Tuesday at 10.30 a.m. in the Dáil Chamber.

The Order of Business is No. 1, Appropriation Bill 2020 - all Stages, to be taken at 11.30 a.m. or 15 minutes after the conclusion of the Order of Business, whichever is the later, and to conclude after 60 minutes by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in respect of amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, contributions by Senators to the debate on Second Stage shall not exceed five minutes and the Minister shall be given no less than four minutes to reply, Committe…

I will speak on the few specific issues which were raised. In response to Senator Ruane, Senator Higgins contacted me over the weekend with regard to the gentleman about whom Senator Ruane spoke. I did not contact the Minister for Justice, but the Taoiseach. They are well aware of the circumstances. We are all well aware of the commitments made by the Minister of Justice in this House and by the Taoiseach last week. I will send that message again today. Senator Boylan mentioned the commitment we made earlier this y…