We hear stories, and we have to assume that these stories are not without some fact. I also have concerns about the use of a polling card alone, that is, being able to walk in with a simple polling card with a name and address on it, and no request for identification. Although one may be asked, will that happen? That has to be looked at. We have heard stories in the past of polling cards being bought for a pint of Guinness. Are these just stories or do they happen? I have concerns that they happen. Another issue is…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I raise the issue of services for people with disabilities and their families. Budget 2021 builds on the strong work of the previous Government and the former Minister, Finian McGrath, in this area. I commend the Government for securing additional resources and funding for disability services in this budget. The additional €100 million is much needed and very welcome. It will provide more targeted and tailored services for persons with disabilities, including school leavers,…

It was ordered last week that the House would take Second Stage today. The Minister is here to hear all the views of Members and it is right and proper that, rather than postponing anything, we have the debate and that Members on all sides put across the points they want to make and the Minister can respond. We will have plenty of time for debate on Second Stage and, again, subject to the order of the House, on Committee and Report Stages on Friday.

What a difference a year makes. The Minister is welcome to the Seanad. It is an extraordinary budget for an extraordinary time. Last year, the greatest challenge facing our country was Brexit and budget 2020 was framed with Brexit in mind. Budget 2021 has been framed with not one but two extraordinary challenges facing us, namely, Brexit and Covid-19. We are in the midst of a global pandemic battling an invisible enemy that has worryingly regrouped in recent weeks, a stark reminder that we are nowhere near the end …

I welcome the Minister. This is my tenth budget as a Member of the Oireachtas. Like many of us, we have seen everything from the IMF and budget cuts to a regaining of sovereignty, an increase in expenditure and the pressure and uncertainty of Brexit when balancing the books a year ago. This year has shown the rationale for a rainy day fund to those who doubted it. The reason it was needed is clear. It has been utilised. This time last year, the threat of Covid was not known. The global pandemic and forced shutdown …

As a former Whip who attended meetings of the legislative committee, they were attended by the Attorney General and the staff of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Any engagement on any Bill is between them and the Department. It is wrong to suggest that the office, as the drafters of legislation, engage with anybody. The office is the height of professionalism and carries out its work diligently. It was intimately involved in drafting this and other legislation and engaging with the relevant Department.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important matter for this morning's Commencement debate. While I want to focus on the Westdoc service today, this issue is related to the broader matter of general practice in Ireland. As we know, general practice in Ireland is under severe pressure and is facing major challenges. We do not have enough GPs and after many years of service and dedication, many of our GPs are approaching retirement age. We did not train enough GPs and we do not have the supports in place to…

I thank the Minister of State for attending the House and for her reply. Like all Members, I know she recognises the importance of rural GP services. The importance of sustaining rural communities and providing services to them may seem like a broken record, but the GP is at the heart of that. When people retire after a long number of years, they may have 30 or 40 years of service in a community, it can be difficult to find a replacement. The area I have raised is not remote; it is seven miles from Galway city. I l…

I welcome the Minister of State. As she and I know, a decade ago we lost our airport in Galway. At the time, we did not imagine we would be facing a situation where there would be a possibility of losing Ireland West, Shannon or Cork airports, although, hopefully, that will not be the case. Of course, the loss of Galway Airport at the time was based on the withdrawal of the public service obligation, PSO, as the new Galway to Dublin motorway opened. Shannon, Ireland West and Cork are not just airports. They are int…

I draw the House's attention to the stay-and-spend scheme, which is due to run from tomorrow, 1 October, until 30 April 2021. The stay-and-spend tax credit is new and is available for the years 2020 and 2021. It may be used against income tax or universal social charge liability in a year of assessment. It is for expenditure incurred up to 30 April 2021 on holiday accommodation or eat-in food and drink. The minimum spend is €25 per transaction and one must submit a copy of a receipt. This is a welcome initiative fr…

I ask the Deputy Leader to request the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, as Cabinet Minister responsible for local government, to come before the House to engage with Senators on local government funding. As we know, especially those of us who are former councillors, local authorities are invariably under financial pressure, but this year the pressure has increased exponentially. The councils will be under pressure in a number of areas, not just for the remainder of this year but also for 2021, including housing re…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. It has been noted that the Bill is somewhat rushed but I know it has been discussed over a period. I acknowledge the public consultation that took place in August and I commend the Minister of State on it. It generated a level of interest and as others have said there were just about shy of 9,000 submissions. That demonstrates the interest in this area. The forestry sector is important in Ireland for a number of reasons. As a country, we must increase forestry as we know the benef…

I wish to take this opportunity to wish Senator Joe O'Reilly the very best in what, I hope, will be his new role and also to wish Senator Warfield well in his future. As others have said, a contest is important but obviously I will support Senator Joe O'Reilly. I have known him since 2011, when we were both new Deputies. Our paths diverged after that but it was a pleasure to serve and he is certainly one of the most honourable, if not the most honourable, person that one can find in politics. He has cross-party sup…

I concur with the Cathaoirleach's remarks of thanks to the Ceann Comhairle and the staff in the Seanad office and the Houses of the Oireachtas in general for their work over the past hectic and somewhat chaotic number of weeks and in these unprecedented times. With late sittings and the new positions in which we find ourselves, they have done a tremendous job. I wish everyone well for the recess and I hope everyone gets a nice break here in Ireland. Perhaps they might come to Galway West and Connemara if they so wi…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the second report of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion re earlier signature of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, all Stages of the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020, to be taken at 12.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the group spokespersons on Second Stage not to excee…

I thank all Senators for their contributions on very important matters, both national, international and local. They are equally important. I start with Senator Byrne's comments and I also wish the Social Democratic and Labour Party, SDLP, a happy 50th birthday. I had the pleasure a number of years ago to attend an event in my constituency the time with Mr. John Hume, although it was a time when his unfortunate illness was becoming evident. I join the Senator in wishing the SDLP and its members, including Mr. Colum…

I move: That the report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the amendment of Standing Orders 70, 71, 72, 78, 85, 95, 98, 99 and 104 and consequential amendments to Standing Orders 76, 98, 99, 105, 107, 108 and 113 and the adoption of new Standing Order 45a be adopted, laid before the House and printed.

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 Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) 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.

Now.

Now.