I will raise two issues. I want to ask for a debate soon on enhancing social cohesion among communities in rural Ireland. This is against a backdrop of the Irish language community, the island communities and the desire to get rural housing back on the map. I know there are long promises about that. Affordability has become a real issue. Yesterday, the press had stories on how the GAA was in trouble in Kerry and national schools were closing in the west and in rural communities in the midlands. Parishes are dying o…

Absolutely.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for her time this morning in dealing with the two Commencement matters.

I thank the Minister of State. Before I call the next Commencement matter, I welcome the pupils and teachers of Whitechurch National School, and their rector, whom I happen to know. It is great to see them here; I did not know they were coming here today. They are guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Neale Richmond. They are all very welcome here. To explain, this is the part of the Seanad for Commencement matters, when Senators table questions on issues of concern to them. They are raised and the Senators set o…

Senator Cosgrove, I should say. I have not promoted you yet.

Senator Cosgrove has four minutes to set out her stall.

Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome the students and all those visiting from the national learning network in Kildare who are guests of Deputy Mark Wall, from Kildare South.

I thank the Minister of State for his time taking those two Commencement matters today. I thank the Senator for raising that important matter.

This morning, many Senators will have received a letter from the Ombudsman for Children's Office in relation to the International Protection Bill 2026. It states: Dear Senator, As I’m sure you are aware the International Protection Bill 2026 is due to go to Report and Final Stages in the Seanad at 1pm this afternoon. If this legislation passes in its current form, we are concerned that children seeking asylum in Ireland could be more vulnerable than ever before to breaches of their rights. The letter then refers to…

If that is the way it is going to continue, then this a very sad day for the Seanad and for the people-----

I will finish on this point. It is a very sad day for the people who advocated and worked hard for the retention of Seanad Éireann, because they believed it had a function. If what is proposed happens, it will be a sad day for Seanad Éireann. That is something on which we must all reflect.

I welcome the Minister back to the House. I thank him and support all of these amendments. They are the Minister's amendments and clearly indicate that he listened. He said he would. He kept it concise. The amendments are primarily about children and vulnerable people, who were very much the principal concern of Senators on this side of the House who spoke and who are the ones who are extensively contributing to the whole debate. I want to acknowledge that. It is important. I will not go into great detail on it now…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 19, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “(4) (a) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall produce a report on the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. (b) The report shall analyse the effects of this Act and include details as to whether immigrants are receiving appropriate legal counselling and are being treated humanely in detention in line with national law and the European Convention on Human Rights.”.

We have discussed this amendment. To my understanding, the Minister did not have a particular objection to any of it on the previous Stage. He did say it might not be necessary, but I would rather have the protection. I do not think it would do any harm to have this amendment included in the legislation. What this amendment seeks to do is to provide that: (a) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall produce a report on the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. (b) The report shall analyse…

I am speaking on the amendment.

Okay. We will not speak about the guillotine that has been agreed. To revert to this amendment as well as the Minister's amendments, we will not have an opportunity to speak on many of the them. That presents a bit of a difficulty, but at least if we accept this amendment and the two parts to it, we would have a review in 12 months that would look at the concerns related to the passing of this legislation. Senator McDowell indicated Standing Orders, and the Minister will recall that we discussed this. That is also …

I listened attentively to the Minister's response. I take from it that he does not, in principle, have a difficulty with the objective. He has clearly articulated and identified our objective, which is great, so we are not losing anything in translation there. The Minister will be aware that I asked for a report "Within 12 months". I did not say "every 12 months". Given the nature and the concerns about the International Protection Bill 2026, Senator McCarthy and I believe we should be cautious and that we should h…

Yes.

Not agreed.

I propose to take four minutes and share time with Senator Mullen who will take two minutes if that is acceptable to the House.