John McGuinness

Deputy Whitmore, please address your remarks through the Chair.

Thanks, Tánaiste. Deputy O’Gorman is next.

I join with the Tánaiste in his expression of condolences to the Banim family and to Noreen, whom we all know here, on the death of her mother, Maura.

Is the Bill being opposed?

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

That concludes our business for this morning. I thank all the Members, the staff, the press and everyone involved in the House for their co-operation during the term. I want to acknowledge the fact that we had Cara Darmody in the Public Gallery this morning. I omitted to mention that. I wish her well in the campaign and in her efforts.

Before I call Deputy Gannon, I welcome the Spangle Hill Men's Shed group, who are visiting Dáil Éireann today with Deputy O'Flynn.

Amendments Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, are related, and will be discussed together.

For the information of Members, the Poole family are in the Public Gallery. The Ceann Comhairle has already extended a welcome to the family, but I want to bring it to the attention of the Chamber, now that there are so many of us here, that they are here. They have achieved a lot. I acknowledge their presence. Thank you for your patience as you watch the debate.

Seanad Éireann has passed the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 without amendment.

I extend a welcome to former councillor Walter Lacey who is in the Public Gallery with visitors, friends and family. They are welcome to Leinster House and I hope they enjoy their evening.

Is Deputy Carthy pressing the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 1 to 5 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 3 to 7, inclusive, and amendment No. 10 are related and may be discussed together.

Amendment No. 9, in the name of Deputy Rice, has been ruled out of order.

Pursuant to Standing Order 194(3), I report specifically to the Dáil that the committee has amended the Title of the Bill.

I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the Social Housing Passport Bill 2026, taken on Thursday, 9 July 2026. On amendment No. 1, a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division must be taken now.

I join the Ceann Comhairle in extending the welcome to you. You have come through a harrowing journey to this day and you have exposed the State, as has been recorded by the Taoiseach, the Minister and others, in terms of the most awful failings, which have had terrible consequences on your lives and the lives of your families. If we are to take action on this, we should examine some of the submis…

Seanad Éireann has accepted the Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Bill 2026 without recommendation.

I commend the Minister on bringing forward this stand-alone legislation. It is important that he continue his work reforming the various aspects of legislation that need to be examined and updated in the context of what society faces today. I have no doubt that this Bill will assist partners to know about the records of those who have committed serious domestic and sexual abuse and so on. It is t…

There is no amendment and no countermotion. I thank the Minister of State for that clarification.

Is the Bill opposed?

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

We will move on to questions and answers for 20 minutes, starting with Sinn Féin.