I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 201(2), in relation to the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole Seanad that the Committee has the power to make amendments to the Bill which are not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill, for the purpose of: (i) amending the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 to ensure that the general prohibition on the possession of wireless telegraphy apparatus without a licence from the Commissi…

As stated on Second Stage on Thursday of last week, we welcome the provisions of the Bill. The Bill has the wholehearted support of our group. There were some very interesting discussions in the Chamber last week. I again commend the Minister on his continued co-operation and engagement.

Is mian liom, thar ceann Sheanadóirí Fhine Gael, ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach tráthnóna chun éisteacht agus labhairt linn mar gheall ar an mBille. Mar atá léirithe ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Brophy, ina ráiteas ag tús na díospóireachta, leasaíonn an Bille seo an tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cionta Sceimhlitheoireachta), 2005, a bhí leasaithe cheana ag an Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cionta Sceimhlitheoireachta) (Leasú), 2025. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an mBille lánéifeacht a thabhairt d…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Donnell.

Yes.

Sula dtabharfaimid seans don Aire Stáit freagra a thabhairt, ba chóir dom a rá go bhfuil curaidh dhomhanda inár measc. Before we go any further, I welcome some distinguished visitors to our Gallery. These are the members of the Cabe Academy of Irish Dance, who are world champions, from Castleknock in County Dublin. I see that they are after bringing in the world championship trophy with them. They are very welcome to the Seanad. Tá fáilte romhaibh ar fad. I call the Minister of State.

Amendment No. 3 in the name of Senator Clonan has been ruled out of order due to a potential charge on the Exchequer.

When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Thar cheann Fhine Gael, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Bille um an Dlí Coiriúil, an Dlí Sibhialta agus Cosaint (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2026. On behalf of the Fine Gael Group, I welcome all 75 sections of the Bill before us today and the consequential amendments that will be made to existing Acts in the areas of criminal law, civil law and defence. Parts 2 and 6 and section 71 all relate directly or indirectly to the Prison Service. Part 2 seeks to provide an exemption for prison officer…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Mar atá ráite aige, is riachtanach an rud é a bheith ag obair lenár gcomhghleacaithe san Aontas Eorpach i réimse na coireachta idirnáisiúnta. Tá sé tábhachtach go n-úsáidfí na téarmaí céanna i ndlíthe na hÉireann is atá á húsáid ag baill stáit eile an Aontais Eorpaigh. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the proposal to opt in to the directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms related offences. This is a progressive and important step that will enable us to …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta O'Callaghan, agus ba mhaith liom ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leis as ucht teacht inár measc anocht agus páirt lárnach a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht. Thar ceann Fhine Gael, fáiltím roimh an mBille atá os ár gcomhair anocht. Is céim thar a bheith tábhachtach agus fhorásach í an Bille seo i dtreo feabhas a chur ar na cosaintí atá againne inár gcóras ceartais choiriúil dóibh siúd atá i mbaol foréigean teaghlaigh nó foréigean baile. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the Bill b…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim buíochas leis as teacht isteach. Gan amhras, fáiltím roimh an mBille atá os ár gcomhair inniu. Is tábhachtach an rud é guth níos láidre a thabhairt d'Údarás na Gaeltachta agus do mhuintir na nGaeltachtaí ar fud na tíre, go háirithe mar is iad na daoine atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht agus na daoine atá ag déileáil leis na scoileanna sa Ghaeltacht, ag tacú leo, ag cruthú post agus ag forbairt gnóthaí sa Ghaeltacht. Is iad seo na daoine is tábhachtaí. Tá siad ag obair i measc phob…

Dé Máirt seo chugainn.

I had occasion to visit Anglesea St. Garda station in Cork with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, on a visit to Cork recently. Without wishing to divulge anything I should not divulge, we saw a room in which the surveillance cameras in various locations in the city were being monitored by An Garda Síochána. It was a hugely impressive operation. This is video surveillance at its best to keep our communities safe. I am open to correction on this, but there may be an inference in what is being said regarding biometric…

I have listened with interest to the debate this evening. I have a certain sympathy for the position articulated by Senator Ruane, particularly in relation to a disproportionate number of searches being carried out in certain communities. She cited some numbers in relation to breaches of the Covid regulations and mentioned the communities that were most impacted by those searches and the penalties that followed. That predates my own time on the justice committee but it was very interesting to hear about it as part …