Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is a Seanad Bill that has been amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 159, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question "That the Bill be received for final consideration", the Minister may explain the purpose of the amendments made by the Dáil. This is looked upon as the report of the Dáil amendments to the Seanad. The only matters, therefore, which may be discussed are the amendments made by the Dáil. For Senators' convenience, I have arranged for the printing and circulation of the amendments. The Minister will deal separately with the subject matter of each related group of amendments. I have also circulated the proposed groupings in the House. Senators may contribute once on each grouping. I remind Senators that the only matters that may be discussed are the subject matters of each grouping of amendments made by the Dáil.

There will be three groupings. Group 1 is amendments to ministerial titles and this is the subject matter of amendments Nos. 1, 3 and 4.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring this Bill back to the Seanad where it was initiated. This Bill is the latest in a long series of measures enacted to modernise and improve public accessibility of the Statute Book and secondary legislation. It is vital that laws and regulations in Ireland are fit for purpose and regularly reviewed and updated. The amendments in group 1 are minor technical amendments and reflect recent changes to ministerial titles. Amendments Nos. 1 and 3 update the ministerial titles in section 1 and Schedule 1 to the new title of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and amendment No. 4 updates the second ministerial title in Schedule 1 to the new title of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. All these amendments are very minor technical amendments that do not in any way change the Bill.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am very happy with what the Minister of State laid out.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We move now to group 2 consisting of amendments relating to reference number 1 in Schedule 1, Part 1. This is the subject matter of amendments Nos. 2 and 7.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The amendments in group 2 relate to the removal of the 1685 order from Schedule 1, instruments to be retained. These amendments follow on from Committee Stage in the Seanad and very constructive engagement with Senator Boyhan, the Genealogical Society of Ireland and the Office of the Chief Herald in the National Library. Amendment No. 2 removes the 1685 order from Schedule 1, instruments to be retained, and amendment No. 7 inserts the order into Schedule 2, instruments to be revoked. These are minor technical amendments that do not fundamentally change the Bill but it is really important to say that they are an example of what happens when we listen to what is said in this Chamber, when views are articulated in a very clear and persuasive manner and when collaboration happens outside this Chamber. I thank my officials and officials from the Law Reform Commission for their engagement on this issue. I hope this is to the satisfaction of Senators here.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State sincerely for this. We are always thought of as saying in the Seanad that it does not matter what we do but we had meaningful and constructive engagement here. I thank the Office of the Chief Herald and the Genealogical Society of Ireland and Michael Merrigan, who was the chief principal behind some of the memos and engagement with us. At the time, there was some resistance. The Minister of State took it away on the basis of needing further clarification and teasing out. There are always, of course, unintended consequences of doing something. I understand that there has to be follow though with Department officials, the Minister of State must be comfortable with analysing all of that and getting independent advice and people were not necessarily in a position that day to tease out some of the issues I and others brought to the table. I know this was discussed in the Dáil and I heard from Deputies from all parties that it was very favourable. I thank the Minister of State for what might appear simple things. She clearly listened and considered the matters, they were reasonable and she could accommodate them.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Group 3 consists of technical amendments and the subject matter of amendments Nos. 5 and 6.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The amendments in group 3 are minor technical amendments. Amendment No. 5 substitutes "Department" with "Minister" in Schedule 1, Part 2 on page 9.Amendment No. 6 substitutes "Department of" with "Minister for" in Schedule 1, Part 2, on page 10. Again, all the amendments in group 3 are minor technical amendments and do not fundamentally change this Bill at all. I hope we can agree to them.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Now.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank everybody who has worked on this Bill. An awful lot of work went into this and it has been ongoing for a number of years. I thank all of the officials in the Department who have worked on it, as well as officials in the Law Reform Commission, who have given a lot of their time. Blood, sweat and tears went into this. It has been a huge insight into history as well. It is really nice that we have been able to capture a lot of those historical and interesting times in the Seanad and the Dáil. Many of Members are particularly interested in seeing laws that pertain to their own constituency or county. It has been a real trip down memory lane.

I particularly thank Senator Victor Boyhan for his work on the amendments to the Bill, the Genealogical Society of Ireland and, as I have said, my officials. It is rather technical legislation, but it is important and necessary. It is important from a public governance reform perspective and because it reduces the regulatory burden on businesses and citizens. It is also important because it aligns our legal system with contemporary realities. It will also ensure that our Statute Book is significantly more modern and will enhance public accessibility to the laws that govern our people as they go about their business in their daily lives. I am very pleased to have been able to take this Bill through the House on behalf of all of those who worked to bring it to this point.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister and her officials for their work on this important legislation. I also thank Senator Boyhan for his very constructive input.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When is it proposed to sit again?

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is that agreed? Agreed.