I raise the issue of ESB electricity outages. This is not just happening in my town but throughout the country. It is happening on Saturdays, when businesses cannot operate, and during lunch times. There is no compensation for these businesses. If this were an Irish Water outage, that company would compensate its business customers. The ESB, however, does not. This is wrong. How can businesses be expected to operate when they do not have electricity? I refer especially to the hospitality sector. I read an article a…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and join with him in welcoming the children here this morning. I hope you enjoy your visit to your House today. I am calling for a debate with the Minister for Justice on the exchanges between An Garda Síochána, X and Coimisiún na Meán regarding the protests and riots in Dublin city centre on Thursday, 23 November. Addressing the Dáil on 29 November, the Minister stated that she had spoken to a detective from Pearse Street on the previous Saturday who was actively engaged with the social m…

-----point-scoring that she so vocally detests when it comes to Sinn Féin. There is no way to know for sure without a debate on the issue, which I am calling for this morning. I am delighted to hear that the young child is making a recovery.

Is that a new thing?

He has been here since 9 o'clock this morning.

I know; I am only joking.

I raised it there.

Hear, hear.

I move: “That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges that: - Ireland has a very weak system of local government in comparison to other European countries, according to a recent report carried out by the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CLRAE); Ireland’s system of local government is too limited and centralised; - members of the Local Authorities Members Association (LAMA) have raised issues with the Seanad Public Consultation Committee about board memberships, reimbursements, and pension rights…

Hear, Hear.

It is section 38 of the Road Traffic Act. Is the Minister of State familiar with that?

It is the Department of Transport but local authorities-----

Apologies.

There is no consultation.

I thank the Minister of State so much for coming in here this evening to deal with this motion. I thank him for not opposing the motion as well. Could we have a copy of his speech? I know that most of it was off the cuff but that would be excellent so we can circulate it to our councillors around the country. I thank the Government parties for not opposing this motion. I thank the 13 Senators who turned up here tonight for this important debate. I am so privileged to be elected here by the county councillors of thi…

I received notice the other day of a situation that has unfolded in Coole, County Westmeath. I was informed by a concerned group of residents on the ground that a newly refurbished apartment block is being used to house international protection applicants. I was supplied with the details of one family who recently moved into this accommodation. This family, from Bangladesh, left their country on 11 October and travelled to the UK. They stayed in the UK for 25 days. After this, they travelled to Belfast. Upon arriva…

On a point of order.

On a point of order.

Okay.

That is okay.