Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think this is the last grouping we will discuss so I want to say I am deeply appreciative of the genuine and sincere engagement of the Minister and her officials. It was thoughtful and constructive. We have met for many, many hours in addition to the many, many hours of debate in the Chamber. I believe the Bill has been strengthened by that. I want to acknowledge the Minister's willingness. It is something that other Ministers could benefit from and learn from. You can engage and strengthen legislation. There were good ideas across the Chamber from Government Senators, who put forward constructive proposals, and from ourselves. I thank the Minister for approaching the Seanad debate with interest and engagement and in a sincere spirit of dialogue. That has been really positive so I thank her and her officials.

In that spirit, I welcome the reference to biodiversity. Its inclusion is important. I hate to say that I think there is a very poor definition of environmental development and sustainability in the Higher Education Authority Bill which moves us backwards but at least this Bill has definitions and measures that will move us forward.

While digital empowerment and data protection awareness that I sought is there, the media literacy component which was introduced earlier addresses many of my concerns on that, so I will not press that amendment.

I thank the Minister for taking on board my points, which were technical but important, on human rights and equality rather than human rights, including equality.

On participation, while I would like to have it included here, I recognise that in the higher level functions of the commission and in the service of all the people of the island that a value has been placed on participation and it has been named in the Bill. That is important and I hope that it will have a cascade effect throughout.

While there are strong measures for the Irish language, Irish Sign Language is still somewhat forgotten. It would be really positive were the works fund to support innovative and exciting programming to come through. I am thinking of the kinds of amazing programming that has become possible in the Irish language, which has been dubbed and subtitled around the world, because they are world-class productions. I would love to see that happen in Irish Sign Language too. I will probably press that amendment.

Finally, there was one area in which we were not able to bring forward amendments. We have spoken about the works scheme. We have seen the excitement and good ideas from across the House in terms of the European works scheme. This is the kind of important, interesting, empowering, exciting and imaginative content that we all hope will emerge from this kind of scheme. One area where we have been unable to bring amendments, although there will be capacity to do so in the Dáil, is in regard to the levy and ensuring that such a levy is strong. The works scheme is what happens with the moneys gathered from the levy. The measure I think is important is creating the power to place a levy on what can be very large companies and using it. I hope that the commission not only may but shall place a levy and ensure it is routed into the kinds of exciting European works scheme made possible.