Every April, we in Duleek are blessed with a sea of purple. It is because, ten years ago next year, a family in Duleek lost their daughter through cystic fibrosis. Ann and Kevin Noone lost their daughter Kelley. We come together every year for a run in Duleek in memory of Kelley and her cousin Cathy, who also lost her life to cystic fibrosis. Both of them were teenagers. This week, I have been contacted by four parents who told me that a new and potentially life-saving medicine for cystic fibrosis has been approved…

I congratulate the Minister, her husband Paul and baby Michael on their great news. I wish her every good health in her pregnancy. I welcome this directive and support Ireland's opt-in to it. While we have already implemented many of the laws and provisions mandated in the directive, our show of support for this move to combat violence against women across the EU is nonetheless important. Incitement to hatred has been a criminal act in this country since 1989. We criminalised the non-consensual sharing of intimate …

Before I call our next speaker, I note that, although he has now left the Chamber, Deputy McAuliffe was here earlier with Councillors Racheal Batten and Keith Connolly from his area and members of the Fianna Fáil cumainn in Dublin 9 and 12. It is always good to see other political nerds in the Chamber.

Senator Conway has not left very much time for Senator Buttimer to contribute.

The Senator did not even take a breath but it does not matter; Senator Buttimer can speak later.

He has gone but will be back.

It has been widely accepted there is a role for the Government to play in the funding of good causes at community level or, indeed, at a scaled-up regional and national level, where charities and volunteer services carry out important functions and services for the people of this country, services which otherwise would be carried out by the Government anyway. Where this system breaks down and becomes suspect is when the Government finds itself funding bodies whose sole purpose is not to help, serve or facilitate an…

I spoke to a number of young people last week about many things but especially their plans for the future. Of course, travel featured on many of their lists. It has always been said that the time to do it is when we are young, but I was shocked by how many were planning for their travel to be permanent. Emigration was a consistently common thread across many of these people's plans. One person stated that loads of their mates were in America already and that person would probably end up there. Another said her frie…

Hear, hear.

I wish to be associated with the sympathies offered today on the death of the Independent councillor, Noel Collins. I want to extend my deepest sympathy and prayers to the people of Nigeria at this time, as they continue to mourn the deaths of as many as 40 Christians, who were killed in church on Sunday of last week. Some 87 others were also injured. It can sometimes be the case that when these atrocities are committed far away, the impact on us is dismissed. It is felt that we cannot identify with the victims. Th…

The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber. The circular economy Bill is in keeping with the Green Party's approach to policy in that it is ineffective and targets ordinary people who are already struggling with existing charges. In theory, this Bill aims to support Ireland's transition to a circular economy but the methodology of the studies it is based on is very flawed. In practice, the coffee cup levy is just another imposition on small businesses and people who are already struggling to cope. Not only tha…

The law exists in a state of flux, as do the prevailing social opinions of the people it governs. These two aspects of our shared existence act upon each other. Sometimes, changes in the law affect people's opinion. More often, legislators and the Government wait to see which way the wind is blowing before making a decision. Where this balance fails is when the Government and legislators are beholden not to the prevailing widely held opinions of the public but to the carefully curated and concentrated views of a vo…

Thank you.

The Minister is very welcome. This is an issue known to every employer in the construction industry in the country. Safe Pass has become the quintessential example of bureaucratic red tape. It is a system that has become engorged on self-importance and is now treated as a prerequisite for even thinking about entering a building site. The Safe Pass system was introduced at the turn of the millennium and was championed by trade unions as something that will save lives. This has not proven to be the case in the past 2…

Fantastic.

Both the Minister and the Minister of State have been extremely progressive when it comes to legislation and programmes that concern training and retraining. They are probably the two finest Minsters in their respective portfolios and I congratulate them. Today, we are discussing an important matter as we try to get the construction industry back up and running. Encountering bureaucratic red tape stifles the construction industry. Can the Minister confirm when the courses will be online? I await the legislation on …

Last month, which is not as long ago as it sounds, the Irish Dental Association met for its annual general meeting, AGM. It highlighted pressing concerns facing the industry here and called for Government intervention in key areas in need of reform. Top of that list is the need for the overhaul of the dental treatment service scheme, the HSE-managed scheme which offers medical card holders free routine dental care from contracting private dental practitioners. Leading practitioners have said the current scheme is n…

I am not sure what was funnier, Senator Conway or the Cathaoirleach on Tinder.

I am sure no one here wants to hear the word “passport” again, express or otherwise. However, I would like to raise the issue of the Government cost of documents. At a time of a cost-of-living crisis, we should be looking at any and all areas where we can ease a financial burden where people may be experiencing it. The one fact that stands out when it comes to the cost of Government documents is that they are not discretionary expenditure. When it comes to groceries, people might be able to choose a different brand…

Yes.