I commend Senators Clonan and McGreehan for sharing their personal stories this afternoon. I also want to share mine because I have lost two children through miscarriage. I have two but I also lost two. It is difficult. I recognise that, but people are calling the people who stand outside centres and hospitals protestors. I would not call them that. To me, they are not protestors. They are engaged in quiet prayer for the unborn and for the mother. Not that I witnessed these outside the places I had my children in t…

It is disinformation.

I thank Senator Mullen for his in-depth contribution on this particular amendment. This amendment would ensure that silent prayer would be protected. Already in England, we saw a case of several people who have been interrogated, arrested and fined for simply standing in the vicinity of abortion providers and silently praying without holding any signs or making any statements. One man, Adam Smith-Connor, was asked by a police officer, "What is the nature of your prayer?". When he said he was praying for the unborn …

I wish to correct the record of the House in regard to the Acting Leader’s comment yesterday. The Electoral Commission claimed a poster I sponsored is factual-----

I can ask the Acting Leader to clarify.

The Electoral Commission claimed a poster I sponsored is factual misrepresentation of the existing text of the Constitution with regard to the two proposals being voted on on Friday. There is no error in this. I was never contacted by the commission before it released a statement about me. The Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, writing in the Irish Independent yesterday, said that a “Yes” vote means more help for carers. Why has the commission not corrected this blatant falsehood? Time after time, the Supreme Cour…

I thank the Minister. Friday, 8 March, is International Women's Day worldwide but sadly, Ireland has much progress to make in truly supporting women in 2024. It is important on this occasion to salute and support the courageous sportswomen who face the existential threat to their pursuits. I commend Irish pool champion Kim O'Brien, who refused to play a biological male competitor and forfeited the European championship pool final recently. It is highly regrettable that women are forced to take a stand because polit…

I call on the Minister for children in respect of Tusla's use of unregulated accommodation for vulnerable children and its handling of children entering Ireland from Ukraine and other war zones. It was reported by The Irish Times on 4 March that last year, over €70 million was paid to run unregulated accommodation for children in care in this country and €58 million of this amount went to ten private companies. These special emergency arrangements host more than 180 vulnerable minors at bed and breakfast accommodat…

It is a pity you would not-----

I will address that later.

I second the amendment.

The Minister of State is very welcome. I am pleased to support the motion put down by the Labour Party and the amendment tabled by my colleague, Senator Craughwell. Community safety and investment is of paramount importance to ensure a thriving, safe and healthy society. The Trojan work done by An Garda Síochána has never been of more vital importance than in recent years. Community unrest is palpable in our country. The recruitment and retention of gardaí is at crisis point, which is why we call for the restoratio…

I second the amendment.

I call on the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, to appear before the Seanad for a debate on her role and future within this Government. The Minister’s conduct on “Prime Time” last Thursday was, frankly, disgraceful and was conduct unbecoming of a member of the Cabinet. Ms Siún Nic Gearailt was effectively fired on air from her role at RTÉ. The Minister’s on-air handling of the issue lacked dignity and consideration of the process under which such affairs should be conducted. Thursday’s episode of “Prime Time” rese…

Well done, Gerry.

Shit-----

Sorry, but Sinn Féin talking about someone being a disgrace-----

Absolutely.

I second the amendment. I have raised concerns with the House about this Bill’s draconian implications, which are just as worrying as the hate speech Bill in terms of their impact on civil liberties. I am glad to cosign these amendments with Senator Mullen because they at least go some distance in making this Bill less restrictive. Each amendment draws attention to a particular deficiency within the current legislation that needs to be recognised by the public and reflected upon. However, I must emphasise that I st…

I, too, would like to hear what evidence the Minister has. It is clear that the evidence he says is available has been manufactured by abortion activists. The UL Hospitals Group in Limerick has put on record that no complaints have been made from patients about any protesters in the wake of the allegation-----