Now.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 7, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “Energy Storage System 12. The Minister shall, within twelve months of the passing of this Act, produce a report detailing how Ireland shall adapt a grid-connected battery designed to increase grid stability under adverse weather conditions and energy shortages or outages similar to the Hornsdale Power Reserve Australia grid-connected energy storage system.”. This is the sixth amendment out of seven. As amendment No. 7 has been rul…

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which illustrates what I set out today about whether any of the amendments be taken on board. The Minister of State has been given a script to read, which I respect; I know how this all works. I welcome his comments regarding the need for a policy paper on battery storage. As a matter of fact, I thought his commentary, or that of the civil servant which he read into the record, was quite positive and favourably disposed to the general rationale and concept I set out i…

I will.

When will it start?

Will it be this side of Christmas?

We will not have enough time to get ready. I thank the Minister of State for that.

I can tell the Leas-Chathaoirleach that I have broken it up phonetically for myself as tri-halo-methane. Trihalomethane is the issue before us today. This matter is the result of an engagement with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, with which the Leas-Chathaoirleach will be very familiar, as we all are. I want to put on the record our thanks to that organisation for the amazing work they do in their communities on the management of quality water. I am very keen to hear from the Minister of State regar…

I appreciate the Minister of State's detailed and comprehensive reply, which confirms that the European Commission has been raising these issues since 2014 which is a long time ago. It also confirms that there was an issue with approximately 70 water supply zones. Correspondence from the Commission issued to the Government in November 2021 indicates that it believes the drinking water directive has been breached in 30 water supply zones. Would it be possible to publicly identify those 30 water supply zones? It is i…

It was fantastic.

I ask that we have a debate on balanced regional development. The Deputy Leader and Senator Crowe were in Tuam on Saturday for a very well-attended meeting. A number of Senators, county councillors and public representatives from the west were present. There was a strong case for the full roll-out of the western railway corridor for both freight and passenger transport. It made sense and there was strong, co-ordinated, cross-party support for the initiative. Last night at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly we…

I raise two issues. One is related to the “Prime Time” programme on O’Connell Street in Dublin city. What a shame and a disgrace it is. This is not about laying the blame on anybody. I circulated a small memo this morning to all Dublin city councillors of all political parties. Within ten minutes I received seven or eight responses at least. In two or three cases they said that we did not need another task force for Dublin city; we need resources, responsibility and accountability. Clearly, in Dublin City Council, …

I support the Order of Business. I wish to raise two issues. Yesterday Senator Conway had a Commencement matter on thalidomide to which the Minister gave a response. I will not rehash that response and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific cases given that there is ongoing litigation and legal proceedings. Suffice to say, it is a terrible shame that there is such litigation at such cost between the State and the people involved in this case. It is a travesty and a shame. I call on the Deputy Lea…

Au lait.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 105, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: "Protection for the Elderly 130. (1) An entity providing a good, service or looking for a person to sign a contract shall do all that is reasonable to ensure that a person is not impaired from access to their services by issues with mobility or IT skills. (2) The provision of interpretation shall be at no cost to the person concerned. (3) The Minister may, by regulations, provide that where a person intends to avail of a good or …

I take it that the Minister of State is clearly hearing the concerns, which I welcome. His response was positive and honest because he clearly told the House he has not had time to go into this in any great depth. I thank him for the opportunity to engage with him on it. I ask that he and his officials be mindful of what I am raising. It is really important because there are groups in society who are beginning to feel excluded from commercial life. It is important that we protect them. It is important to be vocal a…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O’Brien, to the House. I thank the Civil Engagement Group for tabling the motion. Clearly, all is not well and that is why the motion is before us - that is the reality. Despite what people might like to think, or might like to peddle, there are real issues about poverty and exclusion. Like any motion, there is no point coming into this House and just talking words, and none of us disagreeing or challenging the core issues of such an important motion. This motion from the…

I thank the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I apologise that the clock was out by two minutes.

No, we have a problem with the clock.

Senator O'Loughlin has one minute to reply.