As has been said across the floor by many speakers, this very wide-ranging Bill covers a variety of matters across criminal law, civil law and defence. There are provisions within this that Sinn Féin does agree with and will support. There are also areas where we will be seeking significant improvements as we push through with this legislation. My principal concern today, however, relates to one of the most sensitive and important issues combined in this Bill, which is the disclosure of counselling and therapy reco…

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I second the amendment.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. As my colleague Senator Tully said, we will support this on Second Stage because the private home care sector must be regulated and families deserve basic assurances of safety, standards and accountability. Supporting a Bill is not the same as applauding the Government's record on this. The legislation is necessary but it is also a stark admission of how little has been delivered and how low the Government's ambition has been and has fallen when it comes to home care.…

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to take No. 12 before No. 1. No. 12 is the Electoral (Amendment) (Voting Age) Bill 2026, which is straightforward legislation that seeks to reduce the voting age from 18 to 16 for local and European elections. There has been a debate going on for years about those aged 16 and 17 who contribute to our society and pay tax when they are out working, whether they start in transition year, go into apprenticeships or work on family farms. If they are paying taxes and contri…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Electoral Act 1992 to reduce the age at which a person may be registered as a European Parliament Elector, and a Local Government Elector, and to provide for related matters.

Next Tuesday.

I will, and I thank the Minister for being here today. Banning the use of technology from states engaged in war crimes and genocide should not even be up for debate. It should just be a given. We know that An Garda Síochána has, and is probably still using, Israeli surveillance technology. Given Israel's record, this is highly problematic from a national security perspective and because it is supporting a genocidal regime that uses this very technology to target Palestinians. We know that in 2023 An Garda Síochána …

I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, after line 40, to insert the following: "(3A) A member of An Garda Síochána shall not deploy biometric analysis unless authorised in advance by a member of An Garda Síochána not below the rank of Chief Superintendent, who shall record in writing the grounds of necessity and proportionality for such deployment.". This amendment seeks to ensure that there are safeguards in terms of how this technology is used and that there is no overreach by ensuring the deployment of biometric ana…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: "Processing and storage of data 43DA. Biometric data processed under this Act shall— (a) be retained only for the minimum period strictly necessary, (b) be stored and processed exclusively on servers located within the European Union, (c) not be accessible to private contractors, and (d) be deleted immediately once no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected.". This amendment seeks to ensure greater protection als…

I move amendment No. 7: In page 8, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “Prohibition on procurement or use of certain technologies 43DA. (1) An Garda Síochána, the Minister, or any public body acting on their behalf shall not procure, license, contract for, deploy, or otherwise make operational use of any biometric analysis technology, surveillance technology, software, hardware, dataset, or related service supplied by— (a) a company incorporated, headquartered, or substantially operating in a state en…

I grew up in Limerick city and then moved out to the county when I was 17. I thought my life was over. How could I live somewhere where there was not a shop two minutes' walk away from me? I ended up loving it so much, however, that I actually moved further into the county. I am in a place now where the bin service will not drive down to us because we are so rural. We have to bring the bins three miles up the road for the bin service to collect them. That is the choice I made because I absolutely love living in the…

I support the motion and, in particular, the amendments to it that have been put forward. What we are witnessing in Gaza, the West Bank and across the wider region is not simply another cycle of conflict. It is a catastrophic assault on human life, international law and the very principles the European Union claims to uphold. For far too long, the international community, including many within the EU, has responded with statements of concern while continuing business as usual with the Israeli state. That contradict…

I want to start by wishing all the exhibitors well this weekend at the Bloom Festival, where we showcase the best of our gardening, Irish products, food and sustainable living. As Senators know, it is sponsored by Bord Bia. It was raised with me over the last couple of days that there will be exhibitors there showcasing Irish wool. The Irish wool that they showcase actually has a product that is imported called merino, which means it is not actually 100% Irish wool. There is a company called Galway Wool. I have dea…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. This is very important and far-reaching legislation that will deserve careful scrutiny because it deals with the balance between public safety, effective policing and the protection of civil liberties and privacy rights. Sinn Féin believes that facial recognition technology and other biometric technologies can have a very rewarding and positive role in assisting An Garda Síochána, particularly in the investigation of serious crime, matters relating to the security of the …

I move: That Seanad Éireann: notes with extreme concern that: - 7,062 eviction notices were issued to tenants from January to March this year, up 51 per cent on the same period in 2025; - new private rents have hit their highest level in 25 years with the rate of rent inflation at the highest since records began; further notes that: - for three consecutive quarters, the number of eviction notices has increased dramatically, 38 per cent in Q3 2025 and 41 per cent in Q4 2025; - statewide, market rents have jumped 7.8…