I second the amendment to the Order of Business moved by the Leader of the House. It is a momentous week and a momentous number of hours as we set the clock for the final countdown to Brexit. It has been an arduous process for all involved. I would like to acknowledge the work of Michel Barnier, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, and those who have been involved in the day-to-day Brexit talks over the past number of years. We are down to the final hours, and we will soon know if there is a deal or no…

I second the amendment.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The debate on the Finance Bill is a very important annual process. Last Christmas we had balanced books, near full employment and obviously success on Brexit. This Christmas the landscape unfortunately is quite different. We are running a deficit. We have unemployment officially of 7% but if all those on the pandemic unemployment payment are included, it could be up to 20%. We are also in a make-or-break week on Brexit. Whether there is a deal or no deal, Brexit will have an impac…

I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m in the Dáil Chamber.

Next Tuesday.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I acknowledge and congratulate the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and, more importantly, the Minister for Education, on the work that has been done on the challenges that Covid-19 has presented in our schools over the past number of months. I also acknowledge and congratulate the Department of Education on the provision of school accommodation in the general Galway area over the past ten years. We have a proud record in respect of schools such as Merlin College, Merlin W…

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive reply. I am aware that there has been engagement between the board of management, the patron and the Department over a number of years. As the Minister rightly says, the issue around the site is the principal concern. To reiterate, Mr. Brendan McGrath, CEO of Galway City Council, has outlined that the council is willing to engage with the school patron about the use of a green space across the road from the existing school site. It is a quiet and safe road so I do not bel…

I previously asked for a debate with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on the issue of greenways, blueways and walkways. I welcome recent Government funding for projects across the country and this builds on an investment provided over recent years for projects such as the great western railway in the Deputy Leader's county, the Mullingar to Athlone greenway and the Clifden to Recess greenway. The recent An Bord Pleanála decision on the greenway in south Kerry has been welcome and it was regarded as a …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I welcome the progress on the concept of the technological universities, which we have seen here in the TU in Dublin that was designated in January 2019 and also Munster Technological University, notwithstanding the name concerns that Senator Mullen has raised. I wish to acknowledge the work of all of the officials in the Department. I also acknowledge my colleagues in government, ranging from Richard Bruton, Joe McHugh and Mary Mitchell O'Connor to the present Minister, Deputy Ha…

I concur with Senator Ó Donnghaile's contribution on the Pat Finucane case. It was a very disappointing decision by the UK Government yesterday. One might say it was to be expected but it was hugely disappointing nonetheless. My thoughts are with the Finucane family and what they have gone through and are still going through on an issue that deserves a full public inquiry. Another issue the Leader was familiar with in her former Department is the certification of deaths abroad. As she knows, the family of an Irish …

I am sharing time with Senator Ahearn. I welcome the Minister. As a former Vice Chairman of the European affairs committee, I recall that in 2014 or 2015, on being asked by the then Taoiseach, the committee carried out a job of work on the possible impact of Brexit on the Irish economy and society. It was before a referendum was formally announced or decided upon. We were pre-empting at lot at that stage. Unfortunately, we know the result. The matters we discussed at the time are matters that eventually became part…

I acknowledge the difficult decisions the Government will face with regard to reopening Ireland. It involves balancing the protection of jobs, the protection of businesses and the all important protection of our health. Tomorrow is Black Friday, which is not particularly a term that I like but it is a term that seems to have crept in over recent years from the other side of the Atlantic. It is a reminder of the changing consumer behaviours and habits which will be even more apparent this year. Irish consumers spend…

We saw the photographs yesterday from Kent when queues of trucks built up after the French started a trial of post-Brexit checks. Lorries seeking to cross the English Channel were forced to stop in long lines as they tried to approach the Eurotunnel entrance. There have been warnings of queues of up to 7,000 lorries post Brexit. The French were rehearsing post-Brexit immigration procedures. The UK is used as a land bridge and it is now clear that, deal or no deal, there will be queues and delays in places such as t…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan. It is safe to say that the fundamental purpose of this Bill can be summed up in one word, "fairness". As we know and accept, fairness is of great importance in any sector and certainly in the health sector. As others have said, the Oireachtas now passes legislation of this kind annually but it is very important nonetheless. It allows for health insurance at the same cost regardless of age, gender or one's health status or illness level. It ensures that health insuran…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis cúpla focal a rá maidir leis an mBille um an mBord um Athstruchtúrú Comhar Creidmheasa (Díscaoileadh), 2019. Tá a fhios ag chuile dhuine an obair thábhachtach a dhéanann na comhair chreidmheasa i chuile chontae trasna na tíre. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach do dhaoine go bhfuil na comhair chreidmheasa ag obair ar son na bpobal sin. I welcome the Bill to dissolve the legal entity of the restructuring board and to transfer assets and liabilities to the…

I welcome the Minister of State who is dealing with his second Bill this evening, the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020, which like the previous Bill is somewhat technical in nature. The Minister of State spoke about allowing for an additional term for members of the five-member Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, which makes perfect sense. Would he agree that five members is a low number and that there might be a need to increase that to seven or eight at a future date? It would make things somewhat easier i…

Next Monday.

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that, notwithstanding the order of the Seanad today, No. 5 shall commence after a 15-minute sos for sanitation and conclude after 45 minutes and No. 6 shall commence on conclusion of No. 5 and conclude after 1 hour and 15 minutes.