Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Teach inniu. The Minister is welcome back to the House this afternoon. I also welcome David and Veronica to the Visitor's Gallery. On behalf of Fianna Fáil I welcome and support this Bill. As the Minister outlined, the Bill progresses a legislative change to allow for the removal of guardianship rights from a person who has been convicted of killing their partner or the other parent of the child or both. The Bill is a programme for Government commitment to examine propos…

Next Tuesday.

On behalf of my party, I welcome and support this Bill, which will establish a new office of director of criminal justice international co-operation to allow Ireland to meet the requirement of the EU e-evidence package. This package will make it faster and easier for law enforcement and judicial authorities across the EU to obtain electronic evidence from service providers as part of criminal investigations. The establishment of the office of director of criminal justice international co-operation will provide a co…

Next Tuesday.

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House this afternoon and I thank him for being here. The Crocus Cancer Support Centre in Monaghan is our local cancer support group and operates two free volunteer-driven vehicles, known as the "Crocus cruisers", to exclusively transport local cancer patients to and from their hospital appointments. Last year, it was delighted to receive €37,000 from the Department of Transport, which enabled it to purchase that second vehicle. The service removes travel-related stress a…

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I fully appreciate that this is a matter for the Minister for Finance, but where would we in this country be without volunteers? Organisations such as the Crocus Cancer Support Centre in Monaghan and blood bikes do fantastic and invaluable work. All the work they do is done by volunteers. If the Government were to introduce a road tax exemption for those vehicles, it would be a small token of appreciation on behalf of the State for the excellent work the…

Now.

The Minister is welcome back to the House. I wish to comment on his concluding remarks on his term as Minister and his ambitions in that portfolio. As everyone in this House can see, his work ethic and enthusiasm for bringing change are admirable and very much welcome. I commend him sincerely on that. Fianna Fáil very much supports this Bill. As the Minister outlined, it responds to a wide range of challenges in the justice system. It is very practical legislation covering a wide range of areas. It delivers a range…

Next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday at 1.30 p.m.

In May 2018, the Irish people decided to repeal the eighth amendment to the Constitution. We all fully accept the decision of the people on that date. Forming a huge part of that decision was the three-day mandatory reflection period or cooling-off period from one consultation to the next. I am disappointed that Sinn Féin is the latest party to come forward to propose to remove that three-day mandatory wait. We are moving the goalposts on the people. We asked them to vote for something. We gave them the detail and …

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating firearms trafficking and other firear…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. I welcome our good friends from Roscommon to the House this afternoon. I promise that I will not mention the football match against Monaghan last weekend. Beidh lá eile acu. On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I welcome and support the motion the Minister has put forward. The proposed firearms trafficking directive aims to introduce an EU-wide framework with common definitions for firearm offences and penalties, support stronger co-operation between member states and improve the collection and us…

Now.

I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

With the permission of the House, I would like to share time with Senator O'Loughlin.

The Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, is very welcome back to the Seanad to discuss this very important matter. I put on record again my appreciation for the vigour, the enthusiasm and the determination that he has brought to this portfolio and the changes he is bringing in. They are all very important, including the particular issue we are discussing here this afternoon. I thank him on behalf of us all in the House. I would also like to welcome and acknowledge the presence of Jason and Joe here and to commend them as …

Hear, hear.

You have to buy the ticket if you want to win the prize.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Troy, go dtí an Teach inniu. Prevention is better than the cure is an old adage that is as true today as it ever was. This is particularly relevant with regard to health and well-being. Every year, the health budget increases. Treating illness is an incredibly expensive business. It makes sense perfect sense to spend on preventative measures and to support people who are trying to stay healthy. More people in Ireland today are living with obesity, diabetes, heart diseas…