Order of Business
The day's business is proposed, including motion No. 1 and Second Stage of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill. Senators begin with congratulatory and procedural remarks, then Craughwell objects to rushing the Bill and asks that No. 1 not be taken.
The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re arrangements for the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022, to be taken at conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 - Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude after two hours if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, to group spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes - time may be shared - and to all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.
Comment on this
I am sure the Acting Leader will join with me in further noting the wonderful success of our athletes in Rome last night. On this occasion, it was the women's 4 x 400 m relay team comprising Phil Healy, Rhasidat Adeleke, Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley. It re-emphasises how investment in sport pays off. I already paid tribute to our other medal winners earlier this week and looked for a discussion in this House on sport and how we can further enhance athletics.
I am sure the Acting Leader will be aware that last night the ship Quest was found, which was Ernest Shackleton's last ship when he died in 1922. It was found off the Canadian coast. Shackleton was one of the greatest polar explorers and one of the greatest explorers of all time. The stories of his bravery have inspired many people. Given Shackleton's record and his connections with Ireland, we should consider joining the international Antarctic Treaty system. Many countries around the world are part of this treaty system that looks to protect the Antarctic and ensure we understand the importance of the Antarctic to the world. I have raised the matter in this House before, as has Senator Martin. Given the importance of the Antarctic - when former President Robinson spoke here yesterday, she mentioned its importance to the planet - as part of Ireland's contribution to multilateral organisations, we should also become a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty. Will the Acting Leader raise the matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs?
I raise an unusual situation of which I have now come across two instances. Serving on a jury is important and anyone who is called to serve should be encouraged to do so. I understand random invitations are sent out for people to do so. However, I have come across cases where those resident in nursing homes are being required to report for jury duty and the address to which the letters are sent are known nursing homes. I have raised this issue with the Department. I find it bizarre to expect people who are in nursing homes to report for jury duty. A failure to do so has particular consequences. I would like if this issue could be raised with the Minister for Justice to ask that before letters are sent out summoning people to serve on a jury, consideration would be given.
Comment on this
I am sure the Cathaoirleach and the Acting Leader will join me in congratulating our former colleague in the House, Tony Mulcahy, on becoming a member of Clare County Council. It is great that he is back in politics as he has a huge amount to offer. Councillor Mulcahy has been in touch with me on an issue which has already happened in County Clare and is happening again. Some 74 Ukrainian citizens are being moved from Shannon to Lisdoonvarna, even though 27 of them are in full-time paid employment in the Shannon area, providing essential supports in the hospitality and tourism industry, many of them are involved in clubs and organisations and a number of them are in school. At the stroke of a pen, these people are being moved from Shannon to Lisdoonvarna. People who understand the geography of County Clare will realise that Shannon is the bones of an hour's drive from Lisdoonvarna. How are these people supposed to keep their jobs? How are they supposed to go school?
The Taoiseach has spoken about moving from an emergency response to a considered medium- to long-term plan and strategy. This happened in Ennis. People were moved from Ennis to other parts of the country. It happened in Killarney, where overnight Ukrainians were moved from Killarney to some other part of the country and it is happening now that people are being moved from Shannon to Lisdoonvarna. I would like the Acting Leader to contact the Minister's office to immediately stall this and respond to these people, Councillor Mulcahy and the wider community in Shannon who welcomed the Ukrainians with open arms and are up in arms over what is happening to them. This needs to be stopped and we need to see a medium- to long-term strategy under which these people can continue their integration into the community, continue to provide the supports they are providing to the service and tourism industries and the young people can continue to attend their educational institutions and, I hope, progress to university. Many of these people want to continue living in our community. They have been made very welcome. They have embedded roots at this stage and are beginning to blossom. What do we do as a Government and Department? At the stroke of a pen, we move them like sheep. It is not acceptable and it is happening in other parts of the country as well. This practice needs to stop. People who have been in our community now for two years and longer need to be treated with a bit of respect and the people in the communities who have welcomed them also need to be treated with a bit of respect.
Comment on this
Seanad Éireann is a reforming House. It is the revising House for legislation and it is our job to go through legislation and improve it for the citizens of the country. A motion is to be taken immediately after the Order of Business on the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022. I have no idea why we need to run the Bill through Committee, Report and Final Stages on 20 June. This is extremely complex legislation that raises many moral and ethical issues, both nationally and internationally, and from that point of view it deserves time and scrutiny in this House. To rush it through on 20 June is totally unacceptable. I therefore propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that we remove No. 1, the Government business, motion re arrangements for the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022.