No, it is from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

I brought sweets because I do not have a note in my head but it is a good, uplifting wee hour. I will talk about defective blocks and 100% redress. I know that households are treated differently from services. There are many schools and childcare facilities in County Donegal - I am sure it is the same in Mayo and other counties affected by defective blocks. I am sure Senators would welcome a discussion on what can be done for childcare providers. My two children attend the local crèche in Ardara. It is an amazing s…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, line 9, to delete “(Amendment)”.

Today we are considering the main change in this important legislation. The Government supported our Bill on Committee Stage in June and we would love to have its support today to change the term "child pornography" and call it what it is, child sexual abuse by materials. In 2022, the then Minister, Deputy McEntee, said it might not be possible to have this Bill. I thank Corey O'Hara, Jessica Bray, and Colm Gannon in Australia for all their hard work on this legislation. From a conversation I had yesterday with the…

It is regrettable that the Minister of State will oppose this legislation. I was speaking to the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, yesterday evening and his words to me were, "You kept this Bill alive, you kept pushing and I expect you to nothing more when we have it in the Dáil". My wee girl was 12 weeks old when I come back from maternity leave. My then parliamentary assistant, Jessica Bray, and I sat down and decided this was extremely important legislation. The then Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, said it was…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, lines 13 and 14, to delete all words from and including “ “Child” where it firstly occurs in line 13 down to and including line 14 and substitute the following: “ “Child Pornography” with “Child Sexual Abuse Material” within those Acts and other Acts; to ensure legal continuity in prosecutions and proceedings; to clarify the continued application of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; to ensure compliance with international obligations; and to provide for related matters.”.

Sometimes I look at the Seanad as if we are guinea pigs. While the Government will now bring this legislation into the Dáil, taking the work we have done in our offices with the Civil Engagement Group, every other Member of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil here is now on record as having voted against changing the term "child pornography" to "child sexual abuse". It is really important that I say that out loud. I have great friends and colleagues in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. In a few weeks the Minister will take our legi…

I thank the Minister of State, the Department and the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. I know this will be changing after my conversation on the phone yesterday evening with the Minister, who thanked us in the Civil Engagement Group for our work. I thank from the bottom of my heart my three colleagues in the Civil Engagement Group, and all of their personal assistants, as well, for their work in respect of this important legislation. I get what Senator Kelleher said about it not being a question of the Government …

I want to bring to the attention of Members the decision of TG4 not to broadcast a debate around the presidential election. What TG4 is doing is keeping thousands of people out of the conversation. I am a member of the Traveller community. My first language should be Cant but, unfortunately, it is not. Our language was robbed from us and I am raising this issue today because I am afraid that the same thing will happen to Irish-speaking people. A lot of Irish people in Donegal get their information from the likes of…

I want to bring the Minister of State's attention to the mental health inequalities this Bill must address but currently ignores. This legislation will shape mental health services for generations, but it fails to confront the discrimination that drives mental health crises in marginalised communities. The Traveller community faces a mental health emergency that shames our nation. Our suicide rate is 6.6 times higher than that for people in the general population. They are our children, our siblings, our future, de…

I know exactly what it is like to face racism, discrimination and hate in this country. I know what it is like to see Traveller accommodation being burned. I know what it is like for members of the Traveller community who experience multiple levels of racism and discrimination. Even when looking for accommodation under the HAP scheme, people are discriminated against because they are members of the Traveller community, they are black or brown or are from the Muslim community. The ill-treatment of migrants, asylum s…

Sports should be for everyone but right now, we see two-tier examples of how Ireland is failing to live up to its own values. First, let me address the 47 Palestinian children who were denied the chance to visit Ireland. These children are aged nine to 16 years. They wanted to play Gaelic football here. They live in refugee camps. They have never seen the sea or been on a train. They live in fear. Ireland calls itself the land of hundreds of thousands of welcomes. We say we support Palestine and our Government talk…

The Senator's time is up. It is important that everybody get a chance to speak.

I call on the Minister of State to respond. He has ten minutes.

I wish County Donegal every success.

I did not get to hear all of Senator Ryan's speech this evening due to a committee meeting but, having listened to my colleagues in the House, I will listen back to it later. I grew up on a halting site with 73 extended families. Today there are about 20 extended families on the site. It is funny how, in some communities, domestic violence is seen to be part of the culture. I have said in this House numerous times that domestic violence is not part of my culture. It is not part of Traveller culture or our way of li…

I rise in support of Senator Tom Clonan’s Bill. All of the Civil Engagement Group supports this very important Bill. I am here five years this week, and since Senator Clonan has entered the House, his passion and determination around equality for people with disabilities has shown and brought things to the table that many of us would not have thought of in this House. The personalised budget means people will not be told what services they need or what services they should have. They can pick and choose for themsel…

Before moving to the next speaker, I welcome the New Zealand ambassador, Mr. Trevor Mallard, to the Houses and his guests, Mr. Chris Hipkins and Ms Toni Grace. I also welcome Deputy Catherine Connolly and her son, Stephen, to the Public Gallery. I hope they have a nice experience.

We must suspend the House. Does the Minister want to return to the debate?

Is that agreed? Agreed.