I too welcome the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice to the House. Senator Ward and I have the pleasure of sitting on the committee chaired by Deputy Lawless. The manner in which he conducts his business and steers the committee is very impressive. His appetite for work is also hugely impressive. He gave some examples of it. I am delighted with the experience of serving with him. I acknowledge the presence in the Visitors Gallery of Alan Guidon, the clerk of the committee. I am sure my colleagues will agree…

I wish to give some background on the Bill for the benefit of Members were not present in 2019 when I brought it to Second Stage. The then Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, was in attendance, as the Acting Chairman is aware, having also been present for that debate. The Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, is very welcome to the House. I thank the Members present for their attendance. In the context of assaults on emergency workers, it is useful to make reference to the Health and Safety Author…

The North-South interconnector has been a controversial project since it was first mooted. In its present guise, it will not proceed because the communities affected will ensure it does not. With this in mind, I was disturbed to hear last week that EirGrid or its agents were caught sneaking - that is the word I would use - across a landowner's property without the landowner's consent or giving prior notice. For a company that is working on behalf of the State, this is deplorable and needs further investigation. The…

All politics is local.

I echo what the previous two speakers said about this particular section. They have my support. Following on from the example given by Senator Higgins, I am aware of a situation in Donegal where a right of way had long been established across a beach. People enjoyed that right for many years but a developer bought a farm and land which ran down to the sea. The developer subsequently built holiday homes and a hotel, and advertised them with exclusive and private rights onto the beach. It proved a controversial devel…

Again, I find myself supporting the Senator's proposal. I think it is common sense. The Minister said that this is a very complex area and the more we talk about it, the more complex it becomes. From my limited knowledge of this, I have come across a few disputes recently. For example, one related to a public right of way where I spoke to a lady down south regarding a public right of way enjoyed by the public for years. A planning application was received that could have had an adverse effect on that and the lady w…

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.

I would like to say a few words about the participation of women and girls in sport. It is important, where possible, that we encourage all young people, both boys and girls, to get involved in sport whatever that might be. Volunteers do great work the length and breadth of this country to promote sport, and encourage both young boys and girls to get involved. Last weekend, there was a shining example of such great work in my constituency where history was made. The under-13 and under-15 girls' teams represented th…

Next Tuesday.

I thank the Minister of State for taking time to attend this morning. It is much appreciated. I also thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for selecting this matter. I know he understands the importance of this particular issue to the constituency in which he and I live. Last week, the Government relaxed the rules on working permits for individuals from outside of the European Economic Area, EEA. This will have beneficial consequences for a number of sectors, including horticulture, which I raised in the House some weeks a…

I thank the Minister of State for his response. While he is here, I would like to acknowledge the help I have received from officials in his Department. I ask him to pass on my sincere thanks to them. On the poultry sector, I see some light in the Minister of State's response in that it is now over to the poultry sector to provide the evidence the Department requires showing that it has tried to recruit locally. As I said, that road has been travelled without success. I will, however, communicate with the sector on…

At a time when news feeds are consumed with Covid-19, COP26, and the Northern Ireland protocol, it is difficult to get media attention for events that happened in our country many years ago. These are events that many of us want to leave behind us. Unfortunately, for some families, those times have never gone away. This past week has seen renewed calls for information regarding the disappearance of Columba McVeigh. The family of Columba McVeigh has made a further appeal for information as part of a walk they hold e…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais go dtí an Teach. Fianna Fáil is delighted to support the Bill, which addresses the constitutional issues that emerged in the Supreme Court judgment in the Wayne Ellis case in 2019. In that instance, the Supreme Court found that the Oireachtas could impose mandatory prison penalties but only if they applied to all persons. It is not constitutionally permissible for the Oireachtas to specify a mandatory sentence which only applies to a limited class of persons, such as a perso…

Next Tuesday.

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: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2019/1153 of the European Parliament and …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais go dtí an Teach. Fianna Fáil is delighted to support the motion, which is about an aid for the EU in its fight against criminal financial activity. The proposal, as I understand it, would create a central register where bank accounts would be accessible all across Europe. That makes perfect sense. I understand this motion must be passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas. We have had a three-month window in which to pass the measure. It expires on 1 November but I have no doub…

Anyone who has ever had a problem with his or her sight or has had an injury to his or her eyes knows how frightening it can be when one's vision is compromised. Unfortunately, recent figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, make for depressing reading. As of August 2021, 41,200 people were waiting for an outpatient eye care clinic appointment, with approximately 7,800 people waiting on an inpatient eye procedure. Waiting lists, as we know, were high before Covid. Unfortunately, Covid, to put it mil…

The Minister of State is very welcome. I thank him for taking time out of his schedule to be here. I appreciate it. This morning, I will raise the issue of the urgent need for a new fire station in Ballybay. Ballybay fire station provides cover not just to the town itself, but to the wider mid-Monaghan area. Back in 1977, a report was commissioned which determined that the fire station fell short of the minimum requirements of a modern fire station. That was in 1977 - many years ago. The current station, which is a…

I sincerely thank the Minister of State for his most comprehensive report. There is no doubt that the case has been well made that this is a priority. I welcome the comments this morning and I trust the Department will work with Monaghan County Council to ensure the facility is built without delay and as soon as possible. I might digress when I have the Minister of State to raise the matter of peat in County Monaghan. Monaghan is well known for many things, one of which is mushrooms, and we have a serious problem t…