Do we have a seconder for Senator Black's amendment?

Before we return to the Minister of State, I thank Senator Higgins for bringing the Bill to the House today. My daughter in the UK runs a public procurement platform for social enterprises. I am pleased, therefore, that section 6 deals with social enterprises and social inclusion.

In accordance with the Order of the Seanad today, the House stands adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 29 March 2021 in the Dáil Chamber.

I commend Senator Martin on mentioning the photocall tomorrow. I call on Members of both Houses to come out to the plinth at 12 o'clock tomorrow to support the reopening of our churches and allow those of all faiths to worship safely. I will talk this morning about the ugly side of choosing a career in politics, specifically the vile criminal abuse, harassment and intimidation that politicians can be subjected to by some individuals. We can all expect a certain amount of jousting in this career in the form of robus…

Sadly, the past 13 months have been a disaster for the tourism industry and the people and families who rely on tourism to make ends meet. I acknowledge the work of the tourism recovery task force that prepared the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-2023, which was published in October. It appears to be a comprehensive plan, containing critical measures to ensure the survival of as many jobs and businesses as possible. Some of the key points of the plan are: business continuity grants and additional operational supports fo…

I hope everybody has a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. I will again address the question of the Covid-19 pandemic and the State's vaccination programme, which is, to be frank, progressing at a snail's pace. Yesterday the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, admitted he was to miss the modest target of 1.25 million doses to be administered by the end of March, yet another abject failure. We also learned that the Minister and his Cabinet colleagues have no plan to source vaccines outside the European procurement system…

The Senator is always confident in his style. I call Senator Currie.

I dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I welcome the Minister of State to the House again. We have previously had very constructive engagements with the Minister, Deputy Harris, and I appreciate the Minister giving me a hearing on those occasions. I am glad to have the opportunity to address the Minister of State on International Women's Day and thank Senator Dolan for her gracious gesture in sharing time with me. It is good to see acts of collegiality and solidarity between female Members of the Oireacht…

Today is a day for women to celebrate but also a day for raising awareness about socioeconomic issues that affect women. It is no exaggeration to say that women in today's society face multiple disparities, from unequal pay in their workplaces to housewife values being imposed upon them in their home life through discrepancies in the system that governs them. All women in Ireland, irrespective of background, face sexism. It is a systemic issue that is present in all facets of society. In the history of the Seanad, …

That is fine.

I call on Senator Boylan to second the motion.

I will take a few minutes. I forgot to welcome the Minister of State to the House this afternoon when I was in the Chair. I will relay something that was brought to my attention by Councillor Séamie Morris in Tipperary. Part of the Local Government Act included a commitment to make a provision for a differential rent scheme, which was to be a reserved function, giving county councillors more power. Since then, it has been claimed that the Department is working on a new differential rent scheme. I welcome the Minist…

I will not take any time off Senator Warfield. I could take 30 seconds off his time like he took off Senator Ahearn's, but we will go easy on him despite his shouting and ignoring of the Chair.

Some time ago I asked myself why the Government coalition of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party was subjecting the construction industry to lockdown when the UK and every other country in Europe was not. What was the scientific or medical reasoning behind this? What was the empirical evidence to support this construction lockdown? Was it clear that building sites were significant sources of transmission of Covid-19? Were a large number builders and tradespeople flooding our hospitals and intensive care unit…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I think this issue falls between him and the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. I wholeheartedly welcome the Bill introduced by my friends in the Labour Party. Indeed, one could say that they beat me to it. I have personally targeted the issue addressed by the Bill as needing urgent legislative action. I was all too aware of the apparent lacuna in the law that was identified by the Data Protection Commission. The commission was of the opinion that the requireme…

On a point of order, Senator Byrne mentioned breaches. In fact, Meath County Council was not in breach at all. A Garda system had been installed and, as such, it was the Garda Síochána that had not legislated for the automated number plate recognition, ANPR.

I thank the Minister for attending. There is a distinct feeling of déjà vu about this afternoon's debate. It is another piece of the Governments Covid-19 legislation being driven through the House faster than a speeding bullet. Ironically, the speeding bullet is 12 months too late. While I can understand the rationale behind expediting the legislative process in respect of an emergency Bill in a time of emergency, I cannot understand it in this instance. It is a grave disservice to this House to yet again deny us t…

Excuse me. I am sharing time with Senator Mullen. I implore the Minister to please get the vaccination programme rolled out as quickly as possible. That is the only way the people of Ireland will get their freedom back.

The Senator has accused me of saying I wanted spectators at all-Ireland finals.

I wanted two family members of those who were playing to be able attend Croke Park. I did not say spectators.