I will not take the full five minutes because this topic has been well covered and succinctly opened by the Minister, whom I welcome to the Chamber, in her contribution. The advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. I understand there might be an immediate, instinctive reaction from some quarters who zealously protect data, but we have to assure them that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We must place the common good first. Balances and checks are contained in this motion and in the Attorney General'…

I would also like to join with Members of the House in commending the Cathaoirleach on the speech he delivered at the historic joint session of the Houses this morning. He did this House proud, as did the Ceann Comhairle of the Lower House. The quality of all speeches made us proud to be part of the democratic world and parliamentarians. The debacle which immediately preceded this day, when it was understood that an invitation had been extended to the Russian ambassador, had the potential to ruin a very special and…

Tá fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad. We have a precious peace, but it is not a perfect peace. When it is not a perfect peace, it means much more work has to be done in the area of truth, reconciliation and healing. There are safe assumptions such as those my friend, Senator Carrigy, makes when he says that when he thinks of Óglaigh na hÉireann, he thinks of General Seán Mac Eoin, or when Senator Craughwell says he served in Óglaigh na hÉireann. I have no doubt the Óglaigh na hÉireann he served in is the real a…

I concur with Senator Craughwell. It was disappointing to think the Russian ambassador was being invited in the first instance and to be afforded that additional privilege. I am so happy a diplomatic storm has been averted by him having the good sense not to turn up where he is not welcome. I would like to associate myself with the warm welcoming comments by Members of the House to the victorious Senator Tom Clonan. As my colleague, Senator Garvey, said, he can be assured of the total co-operation of the Green Part…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, to the Chamber. It is always good to have a Minister of State in the Chamber. Especially when that Minister of State is from Kildare, I have to make sure I warmly welcome him here. I commend Fine Gael Members on their very considered wording of this motion. I commend Senators Seery Kearney and Dolan on their eloquent opening contributions. They are a credit to democracy and to their party. I wish to make three points in the short time I have. I would like to address t…

Cuirim fáilte roimh ár gcuairteoir speisialta. Is mór an trua é nach bhfuil Gaeilge líofa agam. Ba mhaith liom feabhas a chur ar mo chuid Gaeilge. Tugann daoine cosúil le Linda inspioráid dom. Is iomaí duine ina ceantar féin atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge don chéad uair. Tá ardmheas agam ort, a Linda. The Irish language will only stay alive for as long as it is spoken. When a tree no longer bears fruit, it has no future. However, when new shoots come through the soil, we know that other trees are growing. All hope is not …

The Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, also conveys its sympathy on the death of former Senator John A. Murphy. He was a towering intellectual. Thousands and thousands of people enjoyed reading his erudite published pieces in Sunday newspapers and elsewhere. I did not always agree with him. Other Senators referred to former Senator Andy O'Brien, who showed that constitutional republicanism is alive and well in Fine Gael. It is the Peter Barry school of republicanism. He was a great friend of John A. Murphy. I was deligh…

Only a few short months ago, Seanad Éireann roundly condemned the outrageous, totally disproportionate and indiscriminate bombardment of Palestine by Israeli forces. Any country that engages in such flagrant breaches of international law is more than capable of operating an apartheid system. The overreaction of the Israeli Government to Amnesty's published findings was not surprising because those findings cut deep and upset many people. The report states that Israel's apartheid system against Palestinians is a "cr…

Today marks independence day for Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the reprehensible ethnic cleansing of the 1990s, Professor Brendan Simms described Ireland's performance and response at that time as squalid. Our reasoning for doing little or nothing was we would not be seen to level the killing fields. Doing little or nothing was justified by a predecessor of the Minister's in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Thus, the Bosnians were isolated. They had to defend themselves and their country. That conflict in the 1990s shou…

Hear, hear.

Since the Seanad last sat, we learned the sad news of the passing of a fellow parliamentarian on the island. On behalf of the Green Party-Comhaontas Glas, I convey my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and the DUP on the sudden loss of Christopher Stalford, who represented the people of South Belfast since 2016 and had been the Assembly's Principal Deputy Speaker since 2020. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Like previous speakers, the Green Party is appalled by the developments in Ukraine, and the aggression. Th…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus roimh an Bille seo. The legislation proposed must be one of the most complex and hugely important to come to the Houses. Today marks a milestone in its progress.. We are now another step closer to finalising this groundbreaking legislation. The full establishment of coimisiún na meán, setting up a new regulatory body that will oversee a more streamlined and effective regulation of audiovisual media content, in addition to the important appointment of the online safety commissioner, …

I welcome Senator McDowell’s interest in this green, innovative initiative. I agree with him, as did former Senator and President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, at the launch of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Seanad. We should have much more discussion. If the initiatives are good, which I believe they are, they should be able to withstand scrutiny. We should not be afraid of scrutiny because it will instil more confidence in them. Maybe we can improve them here by playing an advisory role to the Government, …

I wish to support my fellow Green Party Senators and also welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. I thank him for giving us updates from time to time. I assure him that his words are recorded on the transcript, photocopied and sent out to dozens of people who are hanging onto every word he says regarding when this will actually happen. I welcome his reaffirmation in that regard today and his commitment. I recognise it is a complex challenge. At the heart of the Bill are the words "exempt developments". With e…

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. It is always great to see her here. I am conscious of time and do not wish to repeat points made, only to concur with what I perceive to be a warm reception for reform. The force of law and order, An Garda Síochána, should be conscious that reform is being sought with the very best intention. Lest we forget, an opportunity should not be let go without mentioning the fallen — the members of An Garda Síochána who lost their lives to protect the people of Ireland. There are so ma…

I begin by welcoming the Minister, Deputy Coveney to the Seanad. I acknowledge the work of the committee, which was so ably led by Senator Chambers, who from the get-go adopted such an inclusive and professional approach to the work and the workings of our committee. Ireland is the go-to English speaking member state of the EU. We are well placed to take advantage of foreign direct investment, FDI, seeking an English speaking base in the EU. Ireland now has the highest FDI in Europe by population and has stayed at …

There is a golden opportunity, which as been well flagged by the work of Irish-French parliamentary grouping. This has taken on a whole new meaning because France is now Ireland’s closest neighbour in the EU. There are significant historical and educational ties between France and Ireland. The Alliance Française is, of course, located close to us here on Kildare Street. It was the first Alliance Française established in a non-French speaking country. The Irish College in Paris has hosted Irish priests and academics…

In a bombshell allegation made by a senior Tory MP, he has accused No. 10 government sources of blackmailing elected members of parliament. That would potentially strike at the very heart of democracy. It is a timely reminder to never take things for granted and to never become complacent. Maybe it is a time to cherish and celebrate the lack of such allegations in this celebrated democracy but to do so with our eyes wide open, always being prepared to take the steps necessary and to report it to our Government lead…

Even in such challenging Covid times, it has been and remains important for legislators to legislate, which is their primary role, on a wide raft of diverse topics of concern. This morning, I seek leave of the House to take No. 16 ahead of No. 1, thus permitting me to introduce my Bill entitled the Regulation of Air Traffic Over Sporting Events Bill 2021. This Bill, if enacted, would provide certain protections against unfair betting activities in sporting events and for that purpose to regulate the operation of ce…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide certain protections against unfair betting activities in relation to certain sporting events, for that purpose to regulate the operation of certain aircrafts over sporting events and to provide for related matters.