The Minister is welcome to the Chamber, as always. The Green Party welcomes this Bill. It is a step in the right direction. Of course, we would like more but, because there has been, relatively speaking, such poor progress over many years in the administration of justice in the criminal courts, this is a significant step in the right direction. Justice delayed is justice denied. That is more than a legal adage; it is a maxim that goes to the very heart of our Constitution and of the common law jurisdiction. It prot…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, to the House. I formally second the motion. In doing so, I acknowledge the near-lifelong commitment of the proposer, Senator Garvey. A schoolteacher by trade, she has visited hundreds of schools, especially in the counties of Galway and Clare, extolling the virtues and benefits of clean water and emphasising how vital it is and how important water conservation is for us all. That is because water is life. Without water we cannot live, nor can the millions of species w…

It is good to see the Minister of State in the House again. I listened attentively to his opening remarks. The purpose of this Bill is, in essence, to help people stay in their homes. It is important not to forget that. We are legislators and are here to constructively criticise, and I hope the Minister of State will take the following points on board. At the end of the day, the Government's move here is to protect family dwellings to ensure families are safe. Dispensing with pre-legislative scrutiny should be used…

As Easter week approaches, I commend the initiative of Senator Keogan and others, who have arranged a Covid-compliant and safe press call tomorrow to ask the Government if it is doing enough to allow people of worship to return to their churches. Yesterday, the Bishop of Killaloe, Reverend Dr. Fintan Monahan, said people of faith have been shocked by the closure of our churches for public worship. It is scientifically proven that religion and prayers can help. Psychological studies have indicated great comfort for …

The Green Party also welcomes the Bill. It is apt, timely and pressingly required. A few short years ago, if I can turn back the clock prior to enactment of the 2012 legislation, which was groundbreaking for Ireland, personal debtors were in a very dark place. There was chaos. They were being pushed around and intimidated by lenders. They had nowhere to go and no place to turn. There was no civil legal aid for them. The fallout was horrendous. This scars and suffering of those families, some of whom lost homes, wil…

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

I congratulate all concerned on the unveiling of that stunningly beautiful piece of art this morning, which is so appropriate on International Women's Day. I wish a happy International Women's Day to one and all. This morning, there was the latest big-time announcement in the battle against Covid. The good news reads: [T]his week will see the first Covid-19 vaccinations among medically vulnerable people aged between 16 and 69 who are at a very high risk of severe disease and death. ... It is estimated there could b…

This month marks the tenth anniversary of the start of the Syrian revolution, one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of our time, and an horrific tragedy beyond comprehension. The Irish presence in Syria of Oxfam, World Vision, Concern, Trócaire and GOAL make us all incredibly proud. I commend Councillor Janet Horner of the Green Party and each and every member of Dublin City Council, which recently agreed a statement and read it into the record of a council meeting. Moves are already under way to read a simila…

I have learned that the famous Billy Brennan's barn, celebrated in the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh, is for sale later this week. The previous owners were very helpful and cooperative and facilitated access to it by the numerous conducted tours. I am just putting the marker down that I hope anyone who buys it will respect its heritage and its place in that wonderful community. Recently there were reports in the media on a decision and then the reversal of that decision to commemorate or celebrate or glorify slaughter…

Before I discuss the main topic, it would be remiss of me not to avail of this opportunity to convey to the Minister the horror and disappointment of people in Kildare. When I go home to Kildare tonight, I will be asked if I availed of this opportunity to raise the proposed move of Horse Sport Ireland out of the county and the jobs loss. We are rich in heritage and that heritage is intrinsic to Kildare, and I hope it stays in Kildare. I thank the Acting Chairman for his indulgence. In respect of the topic under dis…

That is very good. If Senator Mullen gave up the whiskey for Lent, there is always the option of wine.

The Welsh and English have shown us what we can do with outdoor vine growing. Certain vines are mildew-resistant and adapt to this particular climate. I suggest people talk to David Llewellyn, a pioneering farmer from a vinery in Lusk in north County Dublin. Several others are having a go at this in Kildare because of the wonderful land. There is rich limestone soil. The farmer can get the right land. Preferably, it is south-facing with a gradient slope that is protected by some trees. This is an area where the Bri…

I hope we will look forward in Ireland to many farmers diversifying in ways like this. Craft beer is a source of rich potential for employment. Mead making is often forgotten about in this country. The wonderful Boyle sisters in Kildare town are two post-graduate experts in this area. It is our oldest drink. I believe there is great potential for the production of mead on a commercial basis again. We want a solution and help for farmers and we must enhance the farmers market as well with greater supports. We have t…

In the midst of the pandemic, accurate and reliable information is vitally important, as it curbs anxiety. Such information about the pandemic should also be readily accessible and easy to understand. If that information happens to report positive progress, it also harnesses hope. Since the start of the pandemic we have gotten daily reports and the tragic statistics of the fatalities. Yet, the way the daily information in respect of vaccines is disseminated and published at the moment leaves an awful lot to be desi…

Many people in the democratic free world were deeply concerned and appalled by the grab for power - the military coup - that took place in Myanmar on 1 February last. That Government was elected last November by a landslide, but even if had been only by one vote, that is the true test of democracy. The voices of everyone in the democratic free world not only must be heard but must be heard in an effective way. I welcome that the vice president of the European Parliament, Ms Heidi Hautala of the Green League, has ca…

The Minister is very welcome to the Chamber. Last March, we went through a period of uncertainty and upheaval never experienced before. We could no longer plan ahead or look forward with confidence. We lost the spontaneity of life. People’s livelihoods were put on hold and financial debts accumulated. All the simple things we took for granted evaporated as anxiety and fear gripped society. Families crammed around a single computer and stress levels increased and were sustained. Children stopped playing together. Ne…

On a point of information-----

I thank the Senator for yielding. On that point, some statistics are lagging way behind, such as coroners' reports, so we could be waiting a considerable time for them. I thank the Senator for taking that information.

As we go through this tragic, third, Groundhog Day-type of lockdown, a growing number of people are of the opinion that it is time to try something different. That difference is espoused by the Independent Scientific Advocacy Group in the form of the so-called zero Covid strategy. While an increasing number of individuals believe in the compelling merits espoused by advocates such as Professors Tomás Ryan, Julien Mercille, Aoife McLysaght, Sam McConkey, Anthony Staines and Gabriel Scally, at the very least people w…