Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. Today I want to discuss the critical issue of strategic gas storage. If the Government is going ahead with its plan for more gas infrastructure, there is an imperative need for robust legal and regulatory measures governing its implementation. It is essential to establish a framework that ensures any strategic gas storage is temporary and does not increase gas demand and that it aligns with our climate obligations. Why are we saying that any proposed strategic gas should mee…

We are concerned about the consultation with Gas Networks Ireland because not only does it have a vested interest in the continued use of gas and protecting its assets, it is also on record as having no issue with connecting data centres directly to the gas grid. It does not see any contradiction in that and its public statements contradict statements that have come out of the Department and the Minister's letter asking Gas Networks Ireland not to connect those data centres to the grid. That is a key part. One is a…

I send thoughts and solidarity to the people of Rafah. The images that are coming out of the place at the moment are beyond horrific. The decision by the Irish, Spanish and Norwegian Governments to recognise the State of Palestine was the first ray of hope for the people of Palestine, Israel and the rest of the world who seek a long-lasting peace and just outcome to the horrific nine-month-old war. As I was coming in here, I heard the terrifying news that Israel says it plans to continue this for another seven mont…

Apologies for arriving late as I was at the agriculture committee. Week after week, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, dismisses those of us in the Opposition who highlight the lived reality of people unable to access secure and affordable homes. He ignores the Opposition constantly when we remind him that his plan is not working. However, I think it is impossible now for the Minister to dismiss the views of his own Housing Commission. Not only did the commission outline what the Government should be doing, it also land…

Well said.

I believe the issue of the guillotine was decided on this morning's Order of Business. If the Senator can speak to the amendment, please.

Senator Mullen, you and I know how the procedure of the House works. The majority ruled in favour of it this morning on the Order of Business, so if you can go back to speaking to amendment No. 5, thank you.

The Senator is not speaking to the amendment.

That point has been made. The point I am trying to make is that the Senator must speak to the amendment. We can have a debate another day about the guillotine and its use. Today you are speaking to amendment No. 5.

Do any other Senators want to speak on this? No. Minister? No. Is the amendment being pressed?

I welcome the passing of this legislation. I thank the Minister for bringing it forward. I also commend my colleague, Senator Paul Gavan, on the work he did with the Together for Safety campaign in first initiating safe access legislation in the Seanad. It is a good day for women. Women should be able to access healthcare without intimidation and without fear of threat. It is their business what they do with their bodies. This is a good day for women's healthcare.

Is Deputy Fleming taking my Commencement matter?

I thank the Acting Chairperson and cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I would like to raise an issue that was brought to my attention by the Irish actor and producer, Áine O'Neill. It is about her experience in Las Vegas in November 2022. Late one night, her phone pinged and she was notified that she was visible to an Apple AirTag. The latter was able to see where she worked, where she parked her car and everywhere she had been that evening. After investigating if she had happened to pick up somebody else's belongi…

I thank the Minister of State for the response but it does not reassure me very much at all. For example, we cannot say that the use of electronic tagging devices like AirTag definitely apply under the legislation; rather, they may apply under it. I welcome that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will raise this with her colleague the Minister, Deputy Ryan, but this confirms that the issue has not been on the radar of the Minister for Justice with regard to stalking and the use of these devices. As I have said, if their…

This morning I would like to raise the issue of animal welfare. The European Union is currently looking at regulations that set out to improve the welfare of companion animals, particularly cats and dogs, and this is welcome. I wish to flag my concern at the news coming out of Brussels with regard to the negotiations that the Government is siding with countries that want to reduce the regulation to allow non-vets to administer the euthanasia drug pentobarbital. This is concerning. We are a small country and we cann…

I second Senator Warfield's proposal to amend the Order of Business. I raise the "RTÉ Investigates" programme that aired on Monday night relating to abortion services, which showed that the legislation agreed by this House is yet to be fully implemented. The cases we heard about on the programme should not have happened. Nobody should have had to have those experiences now that the referendum and the legislation to repeal the eighth amendment have passed. We need to make sure the legislation is working for women an…

I wish to pick up on what the Minister of State said about Gas Networks Ireland being a relevant body. It beggars belief that GNI is aware that is bound by the climate Act, given that all its actions at the moment are contrary to what the Minister, Deputy Ryan, is saying and the climate action plan. It continues to connect data centres to the gas grid despite the Minister, Deputy Ryan, telling it that it should not do so as that runs contrary to the climate action plan. Last week it announced its ten-year network d…

I move amendment No. 9: In page 12, to delete lines 33 to 35 and substitute the following: “(i) by the substitution of the following for subsections (1) and (2): “(1) (a) The Board shall own, operate, develop and maintain a system for the transmission and distribution of natural gas being a system that is carbon budget-aligned, economical and efficient and appears to the Minister to be requisite for the time being. (b) Nothing in paragraph (a) shall be construed as imposing on the Board, either directly or indirect…

This is in a similar vein to Senator Higgins's amendment. It is about changing the mandate for GNI's board to bring it in line with the climate legislation and the carbon budget. As I have already said, just recently GNI released its ten-year network development plan for public consultation. In a staggering display of a lack of concern about the climate crisis, the organisation has outlined its plans for growth over the next few years. There is an incredible growth evident in the data centre consumer sector which w…

I move amendment No. 10: In page 13, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(c) in section 10A(3), by the substitution of the following for paragraphs (b) and (c): “(b) the Commission shall have the power to examine the reasons for making an offer under paragraph (a) and to give appropriate directions with regard to the volume and rate to be offered and with regard to future disconnection decommissioning or repurposing in accordance with carbon budgets, without prejudice to any direction given under sub…