The Order of Business is No. 1, Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 - Order for Committee and Committee Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 4.15 p.m. if not previously concluded; No. 2, Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 4.15 p.m. and to conclude at 5.45 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes…

I thank all 18 Senators who made contributions. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin spoke about the use of the Irish language in school and acknowledged the awards that a number of schools had won, which are obviously very important. That is welcomed and should be continued. She also spoke about the very sad case of Maxine Maguire who died by suicide after bravely reaching out to look for help, which she unfortunately did not receive from the HSE. I cannot imagine how distressing what happened is for Maxine's parents, Robbie …

Next Tuesday.

I too welcome our friends from Ukraine. It is a pleasure to have them here, and I hope they are being treated as well as they treat us when we visit Ukraine. They are in the first Parliament in the world that hosted Ukrainian MPs in person to speak to politicians. That was at the request of the Cathaoirleach, I think back in 2023.

Well, I requested it and you approved it, which was the most important thing.

It was a very special day, and those four MPs are still very good friends of all of us in this House. The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on the priorities and progress of the Office of Public Works, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and to conclude at 6 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than seven minutes to reply to the d…

They may not have missed much.

I thank the 24 Senators who gave contributions. I have about six minutes to respond to 24 contributions. That is 15 seconds each. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin welcomed her guests and spoke about Avista and the work it does and the work we need to do in terms of employment rates being low. Senator Conway has done a great deal of work on this in terms of long-term employment for people with disabilities. There is more we can do as a Government. Senator Manus Boyle spoke about the tragic loss of three lives in Donegal whi…

With her contribution she must have been there herself privately, as she knew a great deal of what was going on.

I did not watch it and I have not seen it but a number of people have responded in defence of the good work that Fianna Fáil has done. That is to be acknowledged. Senator Harmon spoke about AI smart glasses and the consent that needs to be given when anyone is being filmed and how there should be consent for that. That is why the AI committee was set up; to look at things like this that have not been looked at before. It is important that we have a debate in the House on this. Senator Maria McCormack spoke about Ro…

The Order of Business is No. 1, Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to adjourn after three hours, if not previously concluded.

I thank all the Senators who have made contributions this morning. Senator Fitzpatrick spoke about her recent visit with the drugs committee to Iceland. A lot of the stuff learned in Iceland was learned in the 1990s. They had the highest rate of drugs use in the 1990s and implemented what was called an Icelandic prevention model that has now led to the lowest rate. It is obviously a model that we should be looking at and seeing if we can implement here. In particular, she spoke about the youth, mental health and th…

I propose, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of Business today, that the House does suspend until 12.30 p.m.

I propose, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of Business today, that the House does suspend until 12.50 p.m.

I propose, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders relative to public business or the order of the House today, that the House now adjourn until 2.30 p.m. next Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding arrangements for the address to Seanad Éireann by MEPs representing the European Parliament Midlands North-West constituency, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Bill 2026 - Second Stage, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude not later than 3.15 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed three…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and all my colleagues who raised matters this morning. Following the contributions from all Senators, I wish our colleague, Senator Nicole Ryan, the very best on the wonderful news of her new baby girl being born this morning. We all wish her well. Many of us in this Chamber understand the excitement and joy of a newborn baby coming into the world. It is such a special time for her and her family. I suggest we write, or the Cathaoirleach might write to her on behalf of all Members of the S…

In fairness to the Senator, he made some very valid points. Neither he nor I were at the important committee meeting last Wednesday as we were engaged in business abroad. His concerns are genuine and should not be dismissed, and nor should it be suggested that nobody on the committee is in favour of a ban. That is not the case at all. Senator Mullen outlined his concerns very well this morning. Deputy Carrigy and other members of the committee would agree with him. I am one of those in agreement with him when it co…

I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 63(1) and the approval of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, Seanad Éireann agrees that, in respect of the European Parliament Midlands-North-West Constituency, Ms Nina Carberry MEP, Mr. Barry Cowen MEP, Mr. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP, Mr. Ciaran Mullooly MEP, and Ms Maria Walsh MEP, may attend and be heard in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday, 27th May, 2026, and that the following arrangements shall apply: The proceedings shall commence at 2 p.m., shal…

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber. I thank him for being here for such an important debate. I acknowledge the work that my colleague, Senator Nelson Murray, has done on this over the past 18 months since becoming a Senator. She has been a champion on this issue and has represented her own views and the views of our party extremely strongly. She has worked with the Minister of State’s Department since becoming a Senator to try to deliver change in insurance policy that could benefit small business…