Seanad debates

Friday, 20 March 2020

Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020: Motion for Earlier Signature

 

11:00 am

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I move:

That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Question put and agreed to.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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When is it proposed to sit again?

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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It may not be until after the election. May I make a brief comment?

Photo of Alice-Mary HigginsAlice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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We have been waiting patiently.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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The sitting is over. If I allow one Senator contribute, I would have to allow everybody to do so.

Photo of Alice-Mary HigginsAlice-Mary Higgins (Independent)
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Senator Devine was waiting very patiently.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I will make one final comment. I will not stand in Senator Devine's way.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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I had a big speech organised on the amendment.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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No you cannot.

Photo of Maire DevineMaire Devine (Sinn Fein)
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That is okay.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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If I allow anyone in I will be opening the shutters.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Fine Gael)
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I will be very brief. As Acting Leader, I thank everybody. It has been an honour to serve. I wish everyone going forward in the election the best of luck. To those who are not, I wish them well. I wish the Government, the Minister, Deputy Harris, his colleagues and those who will serve in the next Oireachtas the best of luck dealing with this very serious crisis.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I ask Senators, the Minister and all of his staff to stay safe and healthy. To those seeking re-election, I wish you well. To those not seeking re-election, I wish you a long and happy life outside of politics.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the House that we could be sitting next week. The Dáil is sitting.

Photo of Denis O'DonovanDenis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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Sin scéal eile. We are adjourning sine die.

The Seanad adjourned at 2.30 p.m. sine die.