We had a debate on the Bill last week, as the Minister said. I commend her on the swift passage of the legislation, which is great to see.

I thank the Minister for being present. Last Saturday, when people took to the streets across the country there was a palpable sense of exhaustion and frustration. That is even worse than anger because people genuinely feel that nobody is listening. When the Minister faces that mammoth task of reforming and making fit for purpose the massive entity that is our health system, he relies on the advice of many different strands of medical professionals so that he can make the best calls in cancer care, maternity care, …

I wish to second Senator Byrne's proposal. I congratulate him on bringing forward this Bill. I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy Browne, for being here. There is broad Government acceptance for what is being proposed. It is regrettable that such legislation is needed at all, especially given the fact that we live in such an open democracy where protest is allowed, facilitated and welcomed by all of us. I was at a protest last Saturday standing on the streets of Navan outside the gates…

This morning, the National Transport Authority, NTA, officially announced the new greater Dublin area transport strategy, which extends until 2042. This follows Cabinet approval of the document last week. One of the first projects listed by the CEO of the NTA, Anne Graham, is the Navan rail line. Having represented the town of Navan and having fought for this project for a long time, I am delighted it has eventually become part of a multibillion euro package. I pay tribute to the people of Navan, who made their voi…

I thank the Minister for her presentation and outlining the provisions of the Bill on the National Concert Hall. It is exactly one year on today from the agreement that has paved the way for the Bill and the formalisation of the relationship between the NSO and the NCH. The Minister mentioned the challenges the symphony orchestra was facing and the Boaden report of April 2018. It gave me cause to look back on notes from that year because we dealt with the Boaden report in the committee in October 2018. At the time,…

Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

It is my pleasure to speak as the Cathaoirleach takes this position. It is a very auspicious day for him and his family. I thank the Cathaoirleach for mentioning my family. I am delighted to welcome my mother and father, Olive and Oliver, to the Chamber today. As the Cathaoirleach has said, we are nothing without those behind us and it is a privilege for me to have my parents here today. I thank the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, who has been a reforming chairperson of this Chamber. The work that he did…

I now invite the Minister to respond to the debate.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I acknowledge the significance of the passing of the Bill. Last week in the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media, we welcomed representatives from Fáilte Ireland, including the CEO, Paul Kelly, the Irish Hotels Federation, IHF, and the Department. I also acknowledge the significance of the extra capital expenditure provided under the Bill for an offering for tourists coming to Ireland. That cannot be overlooked. There are significant areas in my own county of Meath and on the easter…

I thank the Minister for bringing forward the National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022. I commend her on using her Second Stage speech to set out in detail the ecosystem of the tourism industry and explain why this Bill and the increase in extending the limit of capital expenditure is so critical and why it will make a major difference. That capital investment broadens our appeal as a destination. People who are spending their money in this sphere want quality. We must ensure the nature of the o…

Next Tuesday.

There was extensive debate on this particular issue when the Bill came before us in the Seanad before it went to the Dáil. There were discussions with the Minister in the Chamber. She asked for our trust that she would deal with the issue. An independent body was established to consider it. She acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and I commend her on that and on introducing these amendments.

I again commend the Minister. This group is important. I also commend some of the practitioners in the broadcast sector who are trying to make those changes of their own volition, notwithstanding what the Minister is doing, in particular in areas that have been male dominated, including sports broadcasting and other spheres. I commend them on having the wherewithal to make that change themselves.

You are too young even to remember it. Sit down, will you?

This formed a large part of our discussions. We have come to the end of the groupings. We reflect on this and many other aspects the Minister has touched on. The Minister has constructed a Bill that has established a body, coimisiún na meán, that has the flexibility to deal with these issues. She has set down clear targets as well, and there is an ethos running through this Bill that seeks to see our media flourish. We should acknowledge that today as part of these discussions. I acknowledge that. It is a good day …

I thank the Minister for a very long process. When she reflects on this, she will see that, across the various Departments of our Government, this has been one of the most significant achievements. I congratulate her. The discussions we had surrounded the regulation of a sphere that had been completely unregulated and an industry that had become so prominent and important to the way we live our lives. It was an arduous task the Minister was faced with. There were some very terse exchanges between members of the com…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, and his officials.

When is it proposed to take the next Stage?