Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I send my condolences to the people of Las Vegas and to those who lost loved ones in the horrendous atrocity that happened there. I also join my colleague, Senator Higgins, and others in strongly condemning what happened in Catalonia in recent days. No matter one's position, brutal police violence against people trying to exercise their right to free assembly and the democratic process is a disgrace. The Irish State should never hesitate to condemn that sort of behaviour.

I am also concerned about the democratic process in this country. Seanad Éireann is supposed to sit on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to debate issues of national importance and scrutinise legislation. However, the schedule for this week leaves Thursday completely blank - no debates, no motions and no legislation. We need to look at this. There is a lot of really important legislation coming up. I am reminded of Senator Colette Kelleher's excellent Bill on adult safeguarding in particular. I am also reminded of Senator Colm Burke's legislation on home care. We need to introduce legislation which can change people's lives for the better.

I will talk about legislation about which I have been very concerned. Fine Gael introduced the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. I am very concerned that it still has not come in. It has been talked about for the last few months but there has been no sign of progress. I recently held a public meeting about the Bill in Cork. I was amazed and surprised by the amount of non-governmental organisations, NGOs, which came out in Cork in support of this legislation, including Pieta House, the ISPCC and the emergency department of Cork University Hospital. These NGOs came out and spoke on the importance of this legislation being enacted in its entirety - all four measures. The Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society also came out in support of this legislation in its entirety. I ask the Deputy Leader when this legislation will be progressed. It needs to be enacted sooner rather than later.