Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Aontaím leis an Seanadóir Black faoi thionchar Covid ar ealaíontóirí. Is rud an-tábhachtach an díospóireacht sin. Tá trí hábhar le hardú agam inniu ach, roimhe sin, I am glad to note the latest shift in Senator's Keogan's position. On Monday she wanted everything locked down but now wants the construction industry open.

The first issue I will raise is the impact of Covid on young people and their return to school. The impact Covid has had on young people has not been trivial. While I welcome the return to school and the increased clarity with regard to the leaving certificate, there is also an obligation to look at the supports put in place for fifth year students, those going into transition year and those who were to do the junior certificate this year. We will have had two years without junior certificate examinations. That is two years without offering students an opportunity to experience State examinations. We need to look at what supports are to be provided for those other students and for fifth year students, who have missed out on a good part of the year. They will be facing into the leaving certificate next year.

The Leader will be aware that Senator Ward and I raised the question of Hong Kong in a recent Commencement debate. Overnight, the Chinese Communist Party has declared that only those who show loyalty and fealty to Beijing and who are considered to be patriots will be allowed to contest elections to Hong Kong's legislative council. The continuing repression of human rights and democracy in Hong Kong has to be a cause for concern. I hope that we will have a full debate on China in this House.

Finally, I will move an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 12, the First Stage of the Health Insurance (International Students) (Amendment) Bill 2021, be taken before No. 1. This Bill sets out to provide reform in the area of health insurance and would be of particular benefit to international students.