Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in the expressions of thanks to staff. I acknowledge the incredible work that people do and have done, especially as business intensifies. I thank all of the staff of the Seanad Office. I thank the staff of the Bills Office who I know must work overtime. I do not believe they should have to work so late because we should not rush legislation through in the way that we do. I acknowledge the incredible work done by the staff of the Bills Office.

I join in the words of acknowledgement and thanks expressed for secretarial assistants. Their case is a live issue. The secretarial assistants who work with Senators do extraordinary work on legislation. They deal with incredibly dense and important work. As mentioned, they pore over legislation line by line; my assistant goes through each line of all legislation with me. It is important that progress is made and that the SA issues are not put on the long finger or excuses made. I hope that by the autumn progress will be made to improve the terms and conditions for SAs.

I join the acknowledgement by colleagues right across this House that the Seanad is incredible and transformative, especially when Senators engage in discussion and work together in a constructive manner. I hope that we all will be fully rested when we resume in the autumn and have exciting new ideas about what we can achieve in the Seanad to mark the 100th year of Seanad Éireann. I refer to the idea of minority voices and the Seanad being able to lead on issues of equality and human rights. Indeed, the Seanad has an inspiring record of bringing forth laws that lead to major changes in society and legislation. In the autumn, let us add some new points to that chapter to mark the 100th year of the Seanad..

In terms of major changes, I want to acknowledge the launch today of the interim report by the Joint Committee on Gender Equality. The Deputy Leader and I are members of that committee. We have put in a very strong marker that indicates that we think Ireland should hold a referendum to change the Constitution in order that it properly acknowledges care. We must move away from narrowing things but make sure that care is acknowledged, and make sure that all families are properly reflected and acknowledged in the Constitution.

Finally, I wish to alert everybody and their parties to the fact that this summer one person will die from hunger every five seconds in the Horn of Africa. The famine is not solely due to what is happening in the Ukraine but is caused by climate change. Therefore, I urge Senators and their parties to endeavour to ensure that action is taken over the next three months.