Sinéad Gibney

I thank People Before Profit for bringing forward this motion. We in the Social Democrats are very proud to co-sign it. I thank the many parliamentarians since 2018 who have worked on this legislation, particularly Senator Black. I also thank the people in the Gallery - the activists who continue, on a daily basis across this country, to campaign in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The wee…

I condemn this week's attacks on Ukraine by Russia and particularly the deaths of civilians, including children. I extend my solidarity and that of the Social Democrats to all those affected by these latest acts in Russia's illegal war of aggression. Now more than ever, in particular in advance of our Presidency of the EU next year, it is crucial that Ireland assert itself at EU level on the issue…

As I mentioned towards the end of my contribution, a key provision related to the Council meeting concerns the suspension of visa-free travel for particular groups. Human rights is one of the bases offered for that. Has the Minister of State given any thought to using this tool to extend sanctions against Israeli settlers and those involved in genocide in the West Bank? The proposal regarding the …

I have listened to the Government state consistently it is at the forefront. I am speaking about a specific example covered at the latest EU Council meeting: the suspension of visa-free travel. My party has identified this potentially as a way to find a lever the Government can pull that will have results. Is the Minister of State doing anything specific on this measure?

I asked earlier about the digital omnibus. I am curious to understand Ireland's position on this. Specifically, what is our stance on the digital omnibus and how will we be able to protect citizens against big tech if we are allowing GDPR and the AI Act to be gutted?

Do I not get to respond?

Finally, the last topic I wish to raise is around the use of Irish taxpayers' money to fund arms manufacturers. Is the Government raising any issues or resistance to Irish taxpayers’ money being used to fund arms manufacture as part of the competitiveness fund? In the context of both this question and the last one, it is not what the Minister of State is saying that I am questioning because I hear…

None of us denies that.

I welcome the opportunity for statements on this topic though I pushed for this to be questions and answers rather than statements given the sprawling nature of the issues that surround CHI. I want to cover three key points: the human impact on these families, the constant crisis, which is unnecessary, and the fact we seem to want to hide from our failures instead of addressing them as a State. I…

The Department recently published the action plan on collective bargaining. The implementation of this plan is an important and welcome step towards better collective bargaining coverage, but there is no commitment to change the voluntary system of industrial relations. That system gives employers a veto on engagement with their workers collectively. Why is this the case?

My goodness, I am so sorry. This is not what I have prepared for. Can I swap the order? I do not have it in front of me. I will have to skip the question.

Would it be okay to take two minutes to prepare?

Is that okay with the Minister? Many thanks. My apologies.

Perfect.

6. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the means by which the transition of the new AI office to a fully independent statutory body will be managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62287/25]

I thank Members for facilitating me. Will the Minister outline the means by which the transition of the new AI office to a fully independent statutory body will be managed? Will he provide some details in that regard, please?

It is helpful to hear how much effort is going into the establishment of this office. I held two leadership roles in a State agency that is arguably the most independent. The national human rights institution in any jurisdiction is informed by the Paris Principles. We have to understand how that independence is going to be guaranteed in this instance. If the body originates from within the Departm…

I am glad the Minister raised public trust because I feel there is this kind of pushback against regulation in terms of losing our competitiveness, missing opportunities and America and China racing ahead with their AI development. The issue I have is that their development will lead to products built in a regulatory environment that will not have public trust. We must look at that regulatory spac…

Two incredibly disturbing cases this week have further highlighted the dangers that children face on social media. Alexander McCartney spent years grooming children, mainly on Snapchat, before abusing them. He was jailed in the North last year but a review of the case found he was free to continue to use the Internet and abuse children online while on bail. One of those children, twelve-year-old C…

That is not a panacea, though.

I thank Deputy Farrelly for all of the hard work he has done. I also thank all the Deputies who have spoken, particularly those on whose work we build. As we have heard, this is not our first time at this rodeo. This issue has been discussed many times here and on the floor of the Seanad. That is why I hope the Government can understand our frustration and disappointment with the timed amendment. …

I endorse the proposal from Sinn Féin. I wish to raise the issue of the occupied territories Bill because it was a key commitment in the election of both Government parties a year ago now, yet all we have seen since then is prevarication, delay and a weakening of the proposed alternative. Just six weeks ago, the Tánaiste said in this Chamber that it would be back in the Dáil to be passed before t…

2. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the multi-role vessel programme, and rationale for any change from multi-role vessels to multi-role combat vessels in the context of the reduced ability of multi-role combat vessels to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief domestically and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …

We have been talking about the replacement of our Navy ships and upgrading our fleet for some years. Throughout it all our focus has been on multi-role vessels, MRVs, as they are the best equipped to do what our Navy does best in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Are we now pivoting to multi-role combat vessels, MRCVs, as has been reported, which marks a shift away towards a m…

I am comforted to hear that we are not going to invest as a State in multi-role combat vessels because my key concern is that we have a long-established priority to acquire multi-role vessels, which give us a flexible fleet that is capable of surveillance and humanitarian functions. They are vital for maritime disaster relief, our capacity for peacekeeping and our ability as an island nation with …