I move recommendation No. 3: In page 6, to delete lines 56 to 67, and in page 7, to delete lines 1 to 4. I support all of the recommendations to this Bill put forward by the Opposition. Recommendations Nos. 3 and 5 to 7, inclusive, speak directly to the cost-of-living crisis facing every single family across the country. At what point does the Government accept that people cannot afford any more? Every week, I meet people who are working hard and doing everything right but who are worse off than they were five year…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I wish to ask about a few things. I am looking for an assessment to be carried out , and the Minister of State’s indicated that this would give rise to a great cost for the Exchequer. The Government can be accused of the same thing I can be accused of, however, which is not having actual facts. What is the nature of that great cost? How much is it? That is what this recommendation is looking for, namely an assessment of the estimated annual reduction in tax receipts and …

This is the last time I will come in on this point. I accept what the Minister of State is saying. We are both more or less saying the same thing. It would be wrong not to recognise the measures the Government introduced have eased the burden on people who were put to the pin of their collar. People are less anxious and stressed out and the measures have eased the burden. Therefore, this was not a made-up reason to protest but was a protest based on a genuine need. If those pressures are put back on people who are …

I move recommendation No. 7: In page 8, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(2) The Minister shall undertake an examination of the Exchequer implications of abolishing Carbon Tax, including an assessment of the estimated annual reduction in tax receipts and the options available to offset such reduction.”.

Yesterday, the Minister and Ministers of State for Transport announced additional funding for regional and local roads damaged during Storm Chandra. Monaghan was allocated €900,000, which is welcome, but I could not believe no funding was allocated for Cavan, which also had serious road flooding issues. In a statement, the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, said, "The funding made available today will ensure that priority work can be undertaken ... to restore our regional and local roads, keeping our rural communi…

I thank the Minister of State very much for coming into the House. I welcome the extension of the reduction in excise duty. One of the fundamental problems in this country is that the Government is taxing fuel too heavily. While the Government has extended the reduction in excise rates, it has only kicked the can further down the road until 1 August. It still plans to increase excise duty on the cost of petrol and diesel five times before the end of the year. It should be telling people to enjoy the one-month exten…

I second the amendment.

I raise the issue of electricity prices. We have heard over and over that Ireland has the highest electricity rates in Europe. However, it may surprise the Leader to know that Ireland has the second highest household electricity prices in the world, second only to Bermuda. We should think about that for a second. Households in Ireland - hard-working families - are paying the second highest electricity prices in the world. At the same time, the ESB, a semi-State body, has made almost €3 billion in after-tax profits …

I raise the ongoing refusal of the National Driver Licence Service to accept cash payments from people. I simply cannot understand how a State agency can continue to ignore clear Government policy on this issue. Successive Ministers for Finance have made their position clear. Michael McGrath called on the NDLS to reverse its policy, and the national payment strategy of the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers, reaffirmed that essential public services provided by the State, or on its behalf, should accept cash. Yet here …

I move amendment No. 9: In page 5, to delete lines 32 and 33 and substitute the following: “(i) inciting by its express terms, or that could reasonably be construed as inciting by its express terms, persons to commit a terrorist activity, or”. I welcome the opportunity to speak to amendments Nos. 9 and 12. I begin by making one thing absolutely clear. These amendments are not about weakening our response to terrorism or making it harder to prosecute people who genuinely encourage or incite terrorist acts. Everyone …

I move amendment No. 12: In page 6, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following: "(b) such distribution or publication gives rise to the reasonable apprehension that the commission of a terrorist activity could thereby result by reason of the communication expressly and directly inciting the commission of such activity.".".

In just over three weeks' time TDs and Ministers will go on holiday. They will not be back in the Chamber until the middle of September. That is not news to anyone but what will surprise people is that on 31 July, while they are all away and the Dáil is in recess, the Government will restore excise duties on petrol and diesel. Last week the Government voted to increase the cost of fuel by 27 cent on petrol and 32 cent on diesel. This will place immense pressure on households that are already struggling to get by. P…

We in Aontú welcome the Bill and the protections it seeks to put in place for children who have already endured unimaginable trauma. The level of cross-party support for this legislation speaks to the shared goal of putting children’s interests and well-being first. I particularly acknowledge the tireless work of David French, along with that of his sister, Veronica. David’s advocacy following the murder of his sister, Valerie, has helped bring us to this point. No child or relative should have to face the addition…

Is amendment No. 10 grouped with amendments Nos. 1 to 3?

Yes. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this amendment. I agree with Senator Ruane. My amendment is pretty straightforward. It seeks to ensure that the Minister will, within 12 months of the commencement of this legislation, report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on "the operation [and impact] of the provisions relating to ... incapacitant spray" in prisons. Prison officers have an extremely difficult job and they must have the ability to protect themselves. When I raised this issue on Second Stage, the Minister…

I move amendment No. 15: In page 18, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following: “(ab) Before imposing a sentence of imprisonment of 24 months or less, the court shall expressly consider the suitability of a community service order and shall record its reasons where it determines that such an order is not appropriate in the circumstances of the case. (ac) In considering whether a community service order is appropriate, the court shall have regard to the rehabilitation of the offender, the interests of victims…

I press my amendment.

I also wish to be associated with the expressions of congratulations to Senator Ahearn. If the last two weeks have been anything to go on, he will do a really good job. Last Thursday, I attended a meeting of the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Campaign Group, where people gathered to share stories of their experiences of hospitals in the Cavan-Monaghan area. It seems to me that a pattern is emerging across all the hospitals in the country. I say this after having listened to people recount stories in here. We are heari…

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber. I welcome the overall intention of this Bill but I too have reservations, similar to Senators Keogan and Higgins. Terrorism remains a real threat across Europe and beyond. It is important that our laws are updated to deal with the new challenges we face, particularly in relation to online radicalisation, recruitment and terrorist financing. However, I wish to hear the Minister of State’s thoughts on the section on public provocation. No one wants to see peopl…

I will talk about local authorities and councils, and address some of the comments made by the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, earlier this week about derelict houses. It was a low blow to attack local authorities and councillors for not doing enough. I wonder has he forgotten that local authorities get their policy from Government. Dereliction is a massive and complicated issue. Our local authorities have been doing the best they can with the resources available to them. There can be problems with ownership, titles or re…