Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

I too want to extend my sympathies to the Crowley family and the Fianna Fáil family on the loss of Brian. I rise today to speak about the universal social charge, USC. When the USC was introduced, we were told it was a temporary measure, a crisis tax for a crisis moment. Yet, here we are, a decade and a half later, with a Government still clinging to it as though it were some sacred pillar of fiscal stability. Fine Gael promised to abolish the USC. Its members stood before voters in 2016 with that pledge but today …

I rise in support of the amendment before us, which reaffirms Ireland's long-held policy of military neutrality while ensuring that the support we give to Ukraine is humanitarian, civilian and grounded in accountability. Let me be absolutely clear: the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was an act of aggression driven by expansionist ambition and the suffering endured by the Ukrainian people since then has been immense. They deserve solidarity, compassion and assistance, particularly in the protection of energy systems, h…

I rise this morning because the State's protection of vulnerable children is once again failing in ways that should be deeply troubling to this House. In recent weeks, the courts have heard evidence of children placed in State care who were left without proper supervision and without allocated social workers, and who were exposed to serious exploitation. One teenage girl already under an interim care order went missing repeatedly while in care and was allegedly sexually abused by adult men across the city. The agen…

Hear hear.

I second the amendment.

I draw urgent attention to the worsening catastrophe and crackdown in Iran. Following mass demonstrations since late December, the regime's response has been one of breathtaking brutality. Credible monitoring reports estimate that over 25,000 protesters have been killed, with tens of thousands arrested across the country. Some reports suggest more than 20,000 people may have been detained, many held incommunicado under a sweeping digital blackout. These protests are driven by a people pushed to desperation by decad…

There are lots of them.

I know how passionate the Minister of State is about mental health. I thank her for intervening in a case that I brought to her earlier and for the work that she does. It is a tough job. As legislators, we try to make things better for those in our communities. I know where the Minister of State's heart and soul are, and I thank her. Ministers often are not thanked enough for the job that they do. I wanted to thank the Minister of State on the record here this evening.

I wish to highlight a deeply troubling trend in the removal of newborns by Tusla. Recently, it has been reported in the media that a newborn who was taken just 14 days after birth is now failing to thrive. The child has lost weight, is vomiting after every feed and is on reflux medication. All of this is occurring post-removal and the switch from breastfeeding to formula in State care. This infant's suffering underlines a failure of proportionality in State intervention. The damage inflicted in these early days, in…

Hear, hear. Well done to Brion.

I rise today with a heavy heart to express my deepest condolences and solidarity with the victims of the abhorrent attack at Bondi Beach. On the first evening of Hanukkah, a night that was meant to illuminate hope and unity, two individuals inspired by Islamist ideology opened fire, killing at least 15 innocent people, including a child, a Holocaust survivor and two rabbis. This grievous act has rightly been condemned as antisemitic terrorism. In offering our thoughts and prayers, we must also reflect, seek moral c…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House again. I thank him for attending this morning. I regret, however, that I must raise this issue yet again. Section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 remains uncommenced, despite assurances from the Government that it would be operational by the end of quarter 2 of this year. We are now at the close of quarter 4 and there is still nothing. This is my fifth time bringing this matter before the House. An entire ten years has passed since this legislation…

I thank the Minister of State very much. I thank the Minister, Deputy Calleary, as well. I have been raising this issue every six months for about three years. This morning, many fathers out there will be absolutely delighted that this legislation was signed yesterday. I thank the Minister of State from all of the fathers in Ireland who have remained nameless on birth certificates over the past number of years. That has been rectified this morning. I thank him from the bottom of my heart on behalf of all of the fat…

Hear, hear.

Excuse me. On a point of order, can we extend the debate in light of that please? There are a lot of people here who have not got in. Despite my name being before the Cathaoirleach and the Seanad Office today, I have not got in to speak.

Everybody's time will now be reduced. This is a very important matter for local government and for all our councillors around the country. People need to hear what we have to say in relation to this Bill. Can we extend the debate on the Bill?

Yes.

But I would have-----