I move amendment No. 149: In page 67, lines 4 and 5, to delete all words from and including “a proposed” on line 4, down to and including line 5 and substitute the following: “electro-convulsive therapy, this treatment will not be involuntarily administered unless the person has: (a) a relevant decision-making representative, (b) a valid and relevant advance healthcare directive, or (c) a relevant designated healthcare representative appointed under an advance healthcare directive relevant to the treatment concerne…

I move amendment No. 155: In page 69, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: “Chemical Restraint 57. (1) A chemical restraint shall not be applied in respect of a person receiving treatment in a registered acute mental health centre or designated centre unless— (a) the restraint is ordered and initiated by a relevant health professional, (b) the restraint is applied to the person by a relevant health professional or a specified person under the direct supervision of a relevant health professional, (c) the …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I return to the matter of the full reinstatement of the western rail corridor, specifically the 73.5 km stretch between Claremorris and Collooney. I have been left with no alternative but to raise this as a Commencement matter due to the inconsistent and unclear messaging from the Government. I will give a little bit of background. As a previous speaker said, rail use in Ireland has changed and we, as a population, make more frequent use of rail and demand more services in the rai…

It was my understanding, and the Minister of State has cleared it up, that there is going to be no greenway on this rail structure, which is wonderful. Unfortunately, our local representatives in Sligo are continuing to press, saying that there is an option to have a greenway developed here, whereas in Mayo and Galway all the politicians from Opposition parties and all parties have come together and this is why they have made a very firm case, and they have seen it. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy Cann…

In the last few weeks I have met a remarkable group of people, originally from various African countries, who have made their new home in Sligo. They are anxious to contribute to their new home in whatever way possible and have asked me to draw attention to a letter on behalf of the Abolish Direct Provision Ireland group, addressed to all elected representatives. This letter calls for the endorsement of the group's Amnesty 2.0 campaign. It states as follows: For over twenty-six years, the Direct Provision system ha…

I move amendment No. 48: In page 27, line 7, to delete ", or that of another person,". Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. These amendments, which Senator Harmon and I have tabled, seek to delete the reference to threats to the life or health of another person being grounds for involuntary admission. Involuntary admission should be permitted only in cases where the failure to admit involuntarily could have a serious impact on the health or safety of the individual and where it would be likely to benefit to a clear a…

Yes.

I move amendment No. 49: In page 25, line 8, to delete “, or that of another person,”.

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am sharing time with Senator Laura Harmon.

I am very excited and delighted to be bringing forward my first Bill in the Seanad. I welcome the many trade unionists and representatives of the National Youth Council in the Public Gallery today. Their presence is very much appreciated. We had a fantastic briefing in the audiovisual room today. Representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, SIPTU, Connect, Mandate, the Financial Services Union and Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn attended. Representatives came from across the board and this is indicative o…

To say I am disgusted is an understatement. Clearly, all of us are equal but some are more equal than others. I do not know how the Minister of State is able to stand up in front of all these young people and trade unionists who I invited to come. Fair play to Senator O'Reilly for showing up today. He came and listened to the voices of the people representing those working in trades. He listened to ICTU's arguments about pushing forward and supporting this Bill and he listened to representatives from the National Y…

Amendment No. 17 is a very similar amendment. Like Senator Black said, it would strengthen the appeal system. It would require the appeals board to annul and replace a decision when an error of law or fact has occurred. Under the 2022 Act, the appeals board can either annul the decision or refer it to the local authority or Housing Agency for consideration. This asks families who have already been through so much to fight battles and get decisions right. If a decision is wrong, it is wrong and the appeals process s…

I move amendment No. 17: In page 29, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following: “(2) Section 39 of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (10): “(10) Following consideration of the appeal, the Appeals Board— (a) affirm the decision the subject of the appeal, or (b) where the Appeals Board considers that an error of law or fact which detrimentally affected the party who made the appeal was made by the designated local authority or the Housing Agency, annul …

I move amendment No. 22: In page 30, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 51 of Principal Act 31. Section 51 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (2): “(3) Without prejudice to subsection (1), on the passing of the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Act 2025 the Minister shall commence, and shall within 6 months complete, a review of the need to designate additional local aut…

I thank the Minister for coming into the House today. We have to get this right and we want to get it right. I know that the Minister visited Donegal so I know that he has seen at first hand, as I have, the impact this has had, especially at this time of the year when putting up Christmas lights. There is water pouring down inside people's houses, and I know the Minister knows this. We know it is a man-made catastrophe and it has befallen the communities the length and breadth of the north west. The devastation tha…

This also relates to amendment No. 41, which is on the same lines. I can wait and contribute at that stage, but I might as well make my point now. I hear exactly what the Minister of State is saying about the timeframe and not wanting to put in the 72 hours. I worked for a long time as a youth worker. I worked with CAMHS, and I was involved with many young people who ended up going to Merlin Park. I can see the point about not having the 72 hours without safeguards. The Minister of State 100% brought down the waiti…

Yes.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I commend Senator Black and the Civil Engagement Group on bringing forward this motion, which I am happy to support it. I echo what Senator Ahearn said. The greatest honour of my life was to be elected to Sligo County Council. Making the move from not being elected to being elected is possibly one of the biggest achievements a person can have. However, I am also disappointed by the timed amendment. I have to acknowledge the Moorhead report. There have been huge improvements. There…

The Bill follows a budget that underlines the Government's failure to deliver real and radical policy in the social welfare system that would be fair to all and make everyone's life better. Sometimes I think we are living in an alternative universe. Senator O'Donovan listed the benefits available. At the same time, the budget left disabled people significantly worse off. People with disabilities will be €1,400 worse off next year. Social welfare payments keep them just above the poverty line. Rather than wasting €7…

I want to speak about the need to bring the minimum wage for those under 21 and those on apprenticeships into line with the wider workforce. Currently under employment legislation, people under the age of 21 have a lower minimum wage than the rest of the working population. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions believes this is unfair and exploitative. The removal of sub-minimum rates of pay was recommended by the Low Pay Commission following a report by the ESRI on potential economic impacts. Despite this, the Govern…