I commend the Minister and the Department on the tillage schemes that have been put in place. I also commend them on the €12.2 million package to attract farmers to grow more grains this year to mitigate the events in Ukraine and their impact on important inputs for our milk, beef, poultry and pig sectors. The supports that have been put in place will make a difference and all we can hope and pray for is that we have decent weather during the harvest, as well as for a decent summer with neither drought nor flood. I…

I welcome the establishment of the national fodder and food security committee. I invite the Minister and Ministers of State from that Department to come to the House once we return after the St Patrick's Day break. I understand from the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Heydon, that we can expect to see a package of supports being prepared for farmers and finalised by the end of this month. The farming community is under enormous pressure. We know the important role farmers have in ensuring we have suffi…

I thank the office of the Cathaoirleach for choosing this very important matter for debate. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan. We see before our eyes the tragedy unfolding across Ukraine, where, a fortnight ago, people were living their lives, perhaps in trepidation and fear, but as normally as possible in their own country. Now, we see people leaving in their thousands and becoming refugees across Europe, including here in Ireland. Some 2,200 Ukrainians have arrived since the visa requirement …

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive response. It is quite clear that the Government is doing all it can. It is acting proactively and quickly. Of course, we are dealing with vulnerable people who have been through a trauma, who are leaving family and loved ones behind and who have seen their lives destroyed. They are particularly vulnerable to individuals who may not have their best interests at heart. That was evident in previous situations in this country in the past when people arrived here durin…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus roimh an Aire Stáit, freisin. Is deas an rud é an tAire a fheiceáil anseo ag na ráitis. Tapaím an deis seo chun aitheantas a thabhairt agus mo bhuíochas a ghlacadh leis an Roinn, le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, leis na heagrais Ghaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge agus Conradh na Gaeilge as ucht na sároibre atá ar bun acu chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Chuir an phaindéim Covid cosc ar theacht le chéile an phobail le cúpla bliain anuas. Bhí impleachtaí móra aige seo ar chúrsaí Gaeilge agus ar na…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the Data Protection Act 2018 (Access Modification) (Health) Regulations 2022, 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) (No. 2) Order 2022, referral to committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, the Sea-Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to adjourn a…

I thank all Senators for their contribution. Two themes stand out, the first being International Women's Day. I wish all women across the country and the world a happy International Women's Day. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women but of course not everyone is going to enjoy this day in the same way as others. The second theme that emerged as a major issue was Ukraine. Clearly, there are millions of women and children in Ukraine that are having a very pi…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Data Protection Act 2018 (Access Modification) (Health) Regulations 2022, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 2nd March, 2022."

I move: That the proposal that Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) (No. 2) Order 2022, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 23rd February, 2022, 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 29th March, 2022, shall send a message to the Seanad in the manner prescribed …

Cuirim fáilte chroíúil roimh Linda Ervine chuig Teach Laighean agus chuig Seanad Éireann. Is deas an rud é í a fheiceáil agus a chloisteáil agus tá scéal iontach inste aici. Tá stair fhada sa tír seo ó phlandáil Uladh go dtí Cogadh na Saoirse, na Trioblóidí agus toradh reifrinn na Breatimeachta. Tá an t-oileán scartha dá chéile. Oileán amháin atá ann le: dhá thír; dhá phríomhchreideamh; príomhteanga labhartha, an Béarla; dara teanga, an Ghaeilge; agus Ultais mar theanga mionlach. Is ábhar casta é. Tá Linda mar ghut…

I previously asked for a debate on the positive issues of blueways, greenways and active walking schemes across the country. The Galway city to Oughterard greenway has taken a turn. It has been reset. It is a step backwards to go forwards. The greenway has been funded twice, as early as 2014, and there were issues with acquisition of land and engagement with landowners. The county council, in conjunction with Galway City Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and AECOM, which is a consultancy firm, have re-estab…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Fleming, go dtí an Teach. Cuirim fáilte roimh dhíospóireacht ar an ábhar seo a bhaineann le hearnáil na gcomhar creidmheasa trasna na tíre. Very few movements have impacted on this country more positively than the credit union movement. Its excellent work in communities throughout the country has been phenomenal, and the level of trust placed in it by its members is a testament to how well run the sector has been and how its priority has always been its members and the …

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter. In 2006, the conservation and prohibition on sale of coarse fish by-law No. 806 of 2006 was signed by the then Minister of State, John Browne. The by-law states a person shall not take and kill by any means more than four coarse fish on any one day in all waters. It states a person shall not take and kill by any means any coarse fish greater than 25 cm in length measured in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. By…

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. In fairness, there is a lot of information in that. The crux of it is in the last line of the second last paragraph "the initiation of assessment processes on more recent regulations or by-laws does not imply that the Department considers by-laws Nos. 809 or 806 of 2006 to be non-compliant with the habitats directive". Of course, they are not saying they are compliant with the habitats di…

I also welcome the Estonian ambassador to the Chamber this morning in recognition of its national day. I spent some time in Tallinn a number of years ago and it is a beautiful city and part of the world. I concur absolutely with the comments of my colleagues and the Leader on what is currently is happening in Ukraine. We all study or read about history and we learned about the assassination of the archduke and the invasion of Poland, along with other events. This war is starting in Europe before our eyes and we are…

I also welcome Mr. McGrath and his family. As we know, there has been a huge drive to roll out electric cars throughout the country. Obviously, electric cars require electric charging points. On contacting the ESB three years ago, I was informed that: ... the ESB is working on a plan to roll out high-powered charging across national and motorway routes across the country to facilitate inter-urban driving for electric vehicles. Whilst we haven't confirmed the charging point locations at this point, given that we are…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, to the Seanad Chamber to discuss this motion. I confess that I have never been a particular fan of citizens' conventions, notwithstanding the comments of others earlier. Some have served a purpose. As a practising politician I get the abuse and hardship that we all get on doorsteps and at meetings. Some people seem to be of the view that the Houses of the Oireachtas or local authorities could not possibly make decisions but a citizens' assembly could, which I do not…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus roimh an mBille seo. I take this opportunity to welcome the families. I have no doubt but that this is not their first visit to Leinster House. They have had plenty of meetings over the years with various Governments, Ministers and taoisigh, and they are still fighting for justice. I wish them a speedy conclusion, at least from this vantage point, to these issues. I was a member of the Cabinet when a former Attorney General agreed to a fresh inquest into the Stardust tragedy. I was …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I would like to acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas joint committee on this Bill. It has been a lot of work for all the members in terms of preparing the report and I am glad to see that at least some of the recommendations that were advocated and recommended have been taken on board by the Minister. Some of them are still under review as part of the ongoing work over the next period of time and that is important as well. I would make one point …

The Order of Business is No. 1, Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 1.15 p.m. and to adjourn after 30 minutes, if not previously concluded.