I will be as brief as possible. The Minister of State said that the Bill will "consolidate and simplify the law" on perjury and place it on a statutory footing. I contend that the offence of perjury already exists in common law but has seldom, if ever, been activated historically.

It is all about intent. One can have all the laws in the world but will there be follow-up now that it is on a statutory basis? Maybe its very presence will make people reflect. I also think that fraud is a serious matter that must be challenged.

Yes. At times there is a little bit of exaggeration. Insurance companies hide behind the legislation as a veil along with legal costs when they are not transparent with their own business. They ratchet up fees for ordinary consumers.

I wish to comment before the Minister of State speaks. I commend the realignment and reconfiguration of the penalties on a statutory basis. They are justifiably significant at the upper end of indictable offences if they are brought home. It will be a reminder for all legislators that a great deal is at stake. The standard principles of beyond reasonable doubt and the presumption of innocence will apply. I anticipate these will be properly contested.

It will be difficult. As the Minister of State said in his earlier remarks, there will be an onus, hopefully, on judges to refer directly to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Green Party also welcomes the Bill. We are the last member state to transpose the directive of 2014. The transposition of the EU directive relates to the protection of the euro and other currencies against counterfeiting, as was said by previous Senators. It will give effect to European Council and Parliament regulations dealing with it and also with the authentication of euro coins. It will give effect to an ECB decision regarding the authenticity, fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes and it ma…

On behalf of the Green Party, I commend Senator Ruane and all concerned, wholeheartedly support this legislative endeavour and unreservedly welcome it. We will shortly hear the respondent for the Government, who happens to be a member of the Green Party. The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, is very welcome to the Chamber. There have been very justified, kind and positive words said by my fellow Senators about this initiative and I wish to join them in wishing this endeavour the very best. It is an example of where politi…

I want to bring to the attention of the Deputy Leader-----

I am happy to give way to Senator Bacik.

There are two issues I wish to bring to the attention of the House this morning that have potentially serious implications for world peace and stability. First is the recent decision by the UK Government in respect of its announcement concerning its integrated review of security, defence, development and foreign policy, of its nuclear weapons and the nuclear warhead cap. It is most worrying. The British are lifting the cap on the number of warheads they can stockpile, having previously committed to reducing their s…

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. As the Minister of State stated, this Bill is intended to act as a complement to the maritime area planning Bill, which will establish a single marine planning consent system. This legislation must be consistent and supportive of Ireland's move away from fossil fuels. In February 2021, the Cabinet approved a ban on all new oil and gas exploration, which came into effect immediately. This will be put on a legislative basis, through the passing of the Climate Action and…

I am delighted that Senator Bacik got a boost from receiving her first jab. I wish every Senator well in the upcoming by-election. Senator Bacik goes into the by-election as a candidate from the Upper House. I know that in our other workplaces, we always wish people well, no matter what jersey they wear. I hope she also gets a boost in the by-election, notwithstanding that the Green Party might win. I commend the Minister on his continued dedicated efforts on behalf of the people of Ireland. He stated that mandator…

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber and commend Sinn Féin on introducing this Bill. It is self-explanatory and its proponent makes a very compelling argument. Indeed, supporting it is irresistible. Sinn Féin is in opposition but this is a good example of how opposition works. The Bill invites us to consider the bigger question of whether people are equal before the law. We have a constitutional right to be treated equally before the law and every citizen in Ireland is treated thus. The next question is w…

Hear, hear.

I also welcome the Minister of State to the House, and concur with the words of deep sincerity and gratitude of previous speakers to the people who have kept us safe. As Senator Dooley and others have said, some of them tragically have lost their lives. I commend the bravery and dedication of all our search and rescue crews across the country. They provide an invaluable service and regularly place themselves in harm's way, risking life and limb. I commend the Irish Air Corps on its long history of service to the St…

I can understand the concerns. The enforcement powers and provisions being extended are so sweeping in nature and so draconian, for want of a better word, that I can understand people's concerns. I still have concerns myself but the Parliament is the place where we reflect public concerns. As recently as yesterday, I said that the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is a Minister who listens. I welcome the fact the Minister took on board concerns in the Dáil Chamber yesterday. It might not be ideal but we are not a talking …

I concur with Senator Higgins. The bombs and guns are silent in Gaza and the children are no longer being slaughtered. What more could we hope for? An awful lot more. At the heart of that awful lot more must be accountability. People must be held to account this time because if they are not, as sure as night follows day, it will happen again and again. This will take the international community. I welcome President Biden’s recent remarks, however belated, but America was silent at a time when we expected more from …

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber as always. May I extend my heartiest congratulations to him, on the heroic work of the HSE, and the Irish Government, on the incredibly efficient way the vaccination programme is being rolled out. I got my jab the other day in the Punchestown centre. The centre had a wonderful atmosphere and there was a stunningly efficient roll-out. I am told that Kildare efficiency is replicated or near replicated throughout the Republic of Ireland and are we not so fortunate? I must disagre…

I welcome the Minister back to the Chamber. It is probably not appropriate to say it in the Seanad, but I also thank him for his generosity of time in addressing one of his partners in government’s parliamentary party. That is through co-operation where we put housing first, and I would like to see more of that. I know the Minister is very passionate about this. I often compare it to the biggest prize in politics: to resolve the housing crisis of our time. It is the biggest challenge. I know he is dedicated and is …

The Taoiseach said on the radio today how pleased he was to hear that sober analysis from Sinn Féin. I do not mean to misrepresent the able and eminent Deputy and I am sure they have a different way of doing it but playing politics and relegating it to a simple matter of down with all private investors is not fair. It may be inadvertent but it is a dishonest argument to make. Two of my fellow Green Senators addressed the Minister on this before we resumed today. I will bring two issues to the Minister's attention. …