I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) and (Section 60(6)) (Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools) Regulations 2026, copies of which were laid in draft before Seanad Éireann on 16th June, 2026.

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measure: Council Decision (EU) 2023/1076 of 1 June 2023 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating viole…

I acknowledge the good work my colleague, Senator Gareth Scahill, has done on this Private Members' motion on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, primarily because of what happened in his own constituency last year, the issues caused by Storm Éowyn and what seems to be an unfair charge when people are left without electricity for almost a month. This is about fairness and making sure that people receive what they pay for. When people in Roscommon and in other counties are left without electricity for a period, they shou…

I move: That Seanad Éireann resolves that section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 32 of 2009) shall continue in operation for the period beginning on 30th June, 2026 and ending on 29th June, 2027.”

The Order of Business is No. 1, the Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026, changed from, Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2,…

I thank the 18 Senators for their contributions. Senator Dee Ryan spoke about the dental scheme and simplifying it. As well as outlining an issue with dental care and access for children needing dental care, the Senator outlined a solution or a measure that could possibly help, which is the €200 tax credit. Obviously, we have a budget in September. I know the Senator will use her powers of persuasion within her own party - I am sure we will too - to try to convince the Minister. We have done a lot in the health ser…

And old people as well.

I am sure the Senator is talking about himself, not me. The facility is wonderful. It would be great for the Senators to go and see what has been done out in Sandyford. Senator Victor Boyhan spoke about the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion. The local government task force has been brought up a number of times by Senators Davitt and Boyhan. I have contacted the Minister's office to make sure that the task force's final report is published. When it is, it is important that the House has a debate on it. We speak to…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

I thank the Cathaoirleach, his office and the Seanad Office for their engagement over recent weeks, and the Deputy Leader, Senator O’Loughlin, for her constructive encouragement and engagement throughout the process. It is a real privilege to take questions as Leader. The Order of Business is No. 1, Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.45 p.m. if not previously concluded; No. 2, Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bil…

Schools finish on Friday.

I thank everyone for the lovely comments today. I have definitely got a big head after the past hour of kind words. I am not sure they were all true, but they were really appreciated. I am very grateful. I thank in particular my Fine Gael colleagues for their support over the last number of weeks and in general. We have a great bunch here in the Seanad and it is a privilege to work with all of them. I also thank the Opposition Members for their comments, but particularly for their restraint before I was appointed. …

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Data Protection Act 2018, section 60(6) and section 51(3) regulations 2026, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann for an amending EU directive to combat firearms trafficking and other firearms' related offences, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 1.45 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of th…

I thank the 16 Senators who contributed this morning. Senator Comyn spoke about the increase in shoplifting and mentioned the 41 court cases at the moment in Dún Laoghaire. That is replicated right across the country. If you speak to owners of shops like Centra and Spar, they will tell you that shoplifting happens on a daily basis and nearly on an hourly basis. The kinds of things that are taken are normally day-to-day items that people just need. It is important that we have a debate in this House on the matter be…

If he could sing like Rory Gallagher-----

Senator Gallagher, along with Senators Sarah O'Reilly, Mullen and McCarthy, spoke on the eighth amendment. There is a vote on a Bill on this matter in the Dáil tonight. We do not have a vote on it in the Seanad, but it might come at some point. Senator Gallagher and the other Senators raised some very valid personal views they have on tonight's decision. We all know it is a personal decision for everyone and we have to respect everyone's view on it. It is very hard to disagree with some of the points that were expr…

On the referendum, people certainly felt protected by having that three-day cushion in place but that is a wider debate we can have. The vote tonight is one for it to continue to Committee Stage. Perhaps it is at that point where those discussions can be had. However, at all times we need to be respectful of everyone’s personal opinions on that. We are always good to do that in this House. Senator Noel O’Donovan spoke about social media and the UK ban, which was brought in because of what happened in the last numbe…

I did not hear the comment on that-----

-----but I know the Minister of State is very supportive of international aid.

If the Senator wants detail on that, she can put down a Commencement matter on it. Senator Mullen spoke on the eighth amendment. I spoke on that at the start. He spoke about empathy for little children. I think most people have empathy in general but people have different viewpoints. Some people have empathy for women going through difficult pregnancies.