I too welcome the Minister of State to the House. My comments follow on from the theme of the two previous speakers. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. It is important to recognise what citizenship represents. Irish citizenship is one of the most important legal statuses the State can confer, and the Minister of State made comments in this regard in his contribution too. It provides a person with a permanent legal connection to this country and with the rights and responsibilities tha…

At 1 p.m. next Tuesday.

Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. Gabhaim buíochas leis as a bheith anseo. The Minister is very welcome to the House. The topic of men's sheds is one he and I have discussed previously. We are all aware of the truly wonderful organisations they are. The sheds are a place where men can come together in a safe, comfortable environment where they can meet new friends, perhaps reconnect with old friends, learn a new skill or simply put the kettle on and have a cup of tea. It is a wonderful organisation.…

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive and clear response to my question. It is reassuring to know the Minister is a huge fan of men's and women's sheds and I know this from past experience. It is great to see so many of them springing up throughout the length and breadth of the country. I welcome the fact that proposals have come forward from the Irish Men's Sheds Association, which the Minister is looking at, and he is due to meet them again this evening. His comments will bring reassurance and clarity to th…

I move: 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 take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea o…

The Minister is welcome back to the House to discuss these motions. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I am happy to support the motions as outlined by the Minister is his contribution. Co-operation between states is vitally important in our fight against crime. It is a common enemy for us all. I firmly believe that the more co-operation we have, ultimately, the safer our citizens will be. There are two aspects to this, as the Minister outlined, between the EU and South Korea in relation to the exchange of data, w…

I move: 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 take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea on t…

At 10.30 a.m tomorrow morning.

I want to raise an issue that I feel is having a very detrimental and suffocating effect on rural Ireland. This is the declining number of taxis available. It is so bad now that it is causing an economic bottleneck and, in my opinion, is also acting as a social barrier. The figures from the NTA released last May paint a very bleak picture in that 20 counties are seeing a decline in taxi numbers. This is despite the fact that over the past ten years our population has increased by more than 8%. The Border region is …

The sun is shining.

I too would like to raise the urgent case of the approximately 200 people in this country who are living with Friedreich's ataxia. It is a rare and progressive condition that gradually takes away a person's mobility and independence. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition but there is hope. The drug Skyclarys has already been approved in the United States back in 2023 and in Europe through the European Medicines Agency in 2024. It is not a miracle cure but it does slow the progression of this devastatin…

I will raise an issue that affects thousands of people in this country but, in my opinion, does not get the attention it deserves. That is the shockingly poor return Irish people are getting on their savings in Irish banks. On top of that is the fact that inflation is also having a negative effect on the few pound people have put away for the rainy day or to help them in their retirement. A recent report highlighted that and showed how over the last ten years the purchasing power of the savings people have has decr…

The Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, is very welcome. I am going to discuss a topic that the he and I have discussed on many occasions, namely the development of St. Tiernach's Park, Clones. As he knows, it is much more than a stadium; it is the spiritual home of Ulster football. For generations, supporters from every corner of the province have travelled to this unique Border town to witness some of the greatest days ever in Gaelic football. The atmosphere in Clones is unlike anywhere else. The narrow street…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I also thank him for his commitment to the development of sporting infrastructure in Monaghan and Cavan. I have seen that commitment at first hand. I thank his colleague the Minister, Deputy Calleary, for his commitment to the development of St. Tiernach's Park. The Ulster final is hugely important to Clones town. A study from 2024 estimated that the match day was worth approximately €1.5 million to the local economy and €2.1 million to the economy of th…

I note the sale of electric vehicles continues to grow. I looked at the figures for last year and some 23,601 electric vehicles were registered. That is approximately 18% of total registrations. This year, to date, that figure is growing. Up to the end of June, 20,164 electric vehicles had been registered. In my own neck of the woods of Cavan-Monaghan, up to the end of May there were 155 in Cavan and 99 in Monaghan. However, the debate and frustration continues to grow in relation to the number of charging stations…

Now.

Now.

I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 201(2), in relation to the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole Seanad, to which the Bill may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments, that it has the power to make amendments to the Bill which are not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill, for the purposes of: (i) Amending section 10 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984 to provide a statutory basis for the admissibility, i…

I welcome the Minister back to the House this afternoon. I will be very brief. I am very happy to support this motion on the basis of the Minister's contribution. All the areas outlined by him need reform. I am very happy to proceed along those lines.

I move: That the Bill be recommitted in respect of amendments Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, 25, 36 to 39, inclusive, 41, 60 to 97, inclusive, and 100 to 104, inclusive.