Seanad debates

Thursday, 7 May 2026

Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad

 

2:00 am

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:

Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on when Ireland intends to ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, signed in 2017.

Senator Alison Comyn - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the use of properties seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau as move-on accommodation for women and children leaving domestic violence refuges.

Senator Ollie Crowe - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the support packages available to the haulage industry during the current period, including the introduction of barrier-free tolling for hauliers.

Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the inclusion of socio-economic status as a ground of discrimination.

Senator P. J. Murphy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the conditions for drawdown of funds for the croí cónaithe property refurbishment grant.

Senator Maria Byrne - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the removal of VAT on sun protection factor products.

Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the number of fines, penalties, summonses or other enforcement actions issued by An Garda Síochána in connection with the recent fuel protests and to specify the statutory basis relied upon for those actions.

Senator Joe O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on a review and extension of sick pay provisions for healthcare workers with long Covid.

Senator Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a new primary care centre for New Ross, County Wexford.

Senator Laura Harmon - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the delivery of a permanent building for Owenabue Educate Together National School, Carrigaline, County Cork.

The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Boyhan, Comyn, Crowe, Andrews, Murphy and Byrne and they will be taken now.

I regret that I had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Keogan on the ground that the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.