Mary Butler
Waterford · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Major improvements are happening across services: enhanced access to proactive and preventive healthcare to support a better quality of life; the embedding and upscaling of women's health initiatives put in place through the implementation of the previous women's health action plans, including, as the Senator knows, free contraception, sp…”
“In relation to any proposal, a proposal for a new location requires a detailed business case, a premises, support from the regional HSE management, and the necessary funding to resource the staffing of the service. That is where I come into it and what I will be trying to do.”
“We are currently working closely with it to support the expansion of Jigsaw services to Waterford and the south east, as well as to County Clare. The location of Waterford was picked because we have no services in the south east at all. It is great that we will have the hub and spoke model the Senator spoke about.”
“That is where I do not agree with the Senator. I believe €180 million of funding ring-fenced for women's health, when we have come from a low base, is absolutely unbelievable.”
“The plan will build on our knowledge of women's health through research and innovation and will spotlight important areas such as endometriosis and cardiovascular health. Recently, the Minister announced €2 million in funding for women's health research.”
“This plan will continue to focus on how we can improve access to specialist endometriosis care and treatment. As the Senator knows, we have established two super-regional specialist centres, one in Tallaght University Hospital and another in Cork, alongside the development of five regional endometriosis hubs.”
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“Why would we tie the hands of a clinician trying to save a young person's life? I have never felt stronger about anything in my life. There may come a Minister of State after me who will decide they do not agree, but I will never move on this. It could be a 17-year-old man who is psychotic at the time and is a risk to himself and others, and the only solution that night might be for him to be in an adult psychiatric ward in a room on his own with one-to-one support for the entire night. If I am doing wrong by doing that, I will live with it until I go to my grave. That is how strongly I feel.”
“If we set a limit by my saying in legislation that it is okay for a child to be admitted if there is nowhere else for them to go, I would actually be legislating to put a child there. I want to get to a place where no child or young person is put there. The progress has been massive, and I thank all the clinicians who work in real time in the middle of the night, dealing with a crisis at 3 o'clock in the morning when a young person may be self-harming or suicidal. It may not be safe to move a young person from Donegal in the middle of a storm, which was one case I dealt with. Let us put ourselves in the position of the parents. Every one of the four children who stayed for one night had the support of their parent and the Mental Health Commission was informed. I cannot be clearer about this.”
“I am still standing. I thank everyone again for the way in which the amendment has been presented. We have debated this so many times. As the Senators all know, this is something I feel extremely strongly about. Have any of the Senators ever spoken to a parent whose child was admitted to an adult unit overnight for their own safety or to save their lives? I have 100% done so. When I was here in January, I did not have all of last year's figures. Last year, there were a total of five child admissions to adult units across the calendar year and the total number of days was six. Four children stayed for one night and one child stayed for two nights. I worry that if we set a limit of 72 hours, it will make it the norm.”
“We are all on the same page and we will get to a stage, but can Senators imagine what would be involved now in trying to rewrite the entire Bill? The Bill cannot take on every Act in the country. I have to get the Bill passed because for those who have enduring mental health conditions, those who are suffering with anxiety, depression or who might be bipolar, for example, or those who have clinical depression, are self-harming, have an eating disorder or those with a dual diagnosis, we have to ensure this Bill is in place. There are really good parts of this Bill that will make such a difference to so many people and I just have to get it done now. For that reason, and for those reasons I have set out, I will not be able to accept the Senator's amendments”
“I cannot talk enough about the importance of getting this Bill concluded in two weeks in the Dáil so we can start to immediately implement this Bill. I cannot wait to have oversight of CAMHS. I cannot wait to have the oversight, for example, of those living in our communities. I am looking forward to when 16-year-olds can make decisions about their own health. I am looking forward to a situation where An Garda Síochána will not have to be involved in the involuntary detention of a person. I am looking forward to the human rights element of the Bill. The Bill is hugely important and for those reasons, and those reasons alone, I will not accept these amendments but I understand 100% where everybody is coming from.”
“As we all know, we signed up to the UNCRPD and we will come to a stage where this will be enshrined across all legislation. There are different viewpoints on what compliance means. These amendments do not state who is responsible for assessing compliance and what the consequences are if the Bill is suspected as being non-compliant. For that reason, the amendments are vague in that respect. I understand exactly where the Senators are coming from. I do not disagree with them in that respect. I hope we come to a stage where we will see a whole-of-government approach to all legislation. The Senators have seen how long it has taken me to get this Bill to where it is today. I started the process in September 2024 in the Dáil, and now I am in the Seanad in April 2026.”
“As we all know, Ireland ratified this convention in 1992 and its compliance with the convention is reviewed regularly by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Ireland's most recent periodic review was held in 2022 and the concluding observations were published in 2023. We will continue to be held accountable by the committee for compliance with the convention through these periodic reviews. The Bill provides a balanced approach to the provision of mental health treatments, enshrining the best interests of the child as the primary consideration in all decisions. The Bill, and the performance of the State in general regarding compliance with the convention, is compliant with the convention and is subject to scrutiny by the relevant committee. The amendment would not add to this.”
“I do. I thank all the Senators for submitting this amendment. Senator Boyhan introduced a similar amendment on Committee Stage and we discussed it at length, we debated it at length and I set out my stall. Unfortunately, my stall has not changed, not because I do not agree with where we are coming from - and I think we will eventually come to that stage - but because the first thing is for the conventions to be adapted into national legislation, and to do so this would have to be a whole-of-government approach. As discussed, the House will be aware that the articles of the UNCRC are wide-ranging and cover several areas, including health, housing, social security, education, leisure and play, child protection and welfare, criminal justice and international protection, as well as access to information and participation in decision-making.”
“Considering this, I gave additional time to allow for more reviews and readings of the Bill to take place. The Bill is almost 200 pages long already and contains 234 sections. On Committee and Report Stage in the Dáil and on Committee Stage in the Seanad, I introduced a large number of amendments at each stage to improve the Bill based on continued consultation with stakeholders. Considering the size and complexity of the Bill, as well as the many amendments that have been introduced, it is to be expected that a number of technical amendments will be required to consider and to ensure consistency, address typographical and grammatical errors and improve clarity. This is what this grouping does.”
“While there are a significant number of amendments in this grouping, they all relate to smaller amendments. These amendments are being introduced to provide clarity or consistency with wording elsewhere. There are no policy changes in this grouping. To pick some examples from this group, amendment No. 30 removes a comma from between the words "Act" and "shall"; amendment No. 67 replaces the word "reviews" with "review"; and amendment No. 109 inserts a comma between the words "health professional" and "will". Since the Bill passed Committee Stage, officials across my Department and across the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and Attorney General's office have been reviewing the Bill line by line. This is the last opportunity to amend and improve the Bill.”
“I will give a little bit more information that might be helpful. On average, there are approximately 200 to 250 people involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act 2001 at any one time. Every single person detained under the Act receives the same protection and safeguards. This means that before a person is detained, he or she is examined by a consultant psychiatrist. Officials in my Department consulted with the Mental Health Commission and the HSE regarding the transitional provisions. An important point of discussion was how long the commission and the HSE would need to transition services. This was an intensive piece of work, I have to say. It is for those reasons alone. That is what their request is, so I have to listen to those who understand about the care and what is needed to be provided.”
“Whether it is the HSE or a private company that is providing the support of people in inpatient beds, we must remember one thing. The Mental Health Commission will have a huge focus here as well because it has the oversight and governance. That is why I have tabled amendments Nos. 28, 29, 306, 309 to 238, inclusive. It is nearly one quarter of all the amendments I am bringing forward today, but it is the business end of the Bill now at this stage.”
“We also need to ensure there is a legal basis to continue to detain people and for each person to have his or her detention reviewed when the 2026 Act is commenced because their detention might determine. We spent a huge amount of time talking about involuntary detention and people without capacity. We spent 20 hours discussing various aspects of that. We are getting down to the business end of that now. How does that work when one Act stops and one Act commences? That 28-day window is to allow for everybody in the mental health inpatient approved centres. We have to allow that time for every patient to be either discharged or re-admitted under the new Act. That will take a little bit of time. That is why I am introducing these amendments and asking for Senators' support for that.”
“In order to have both Acts operating at the same time, we need transitional provisions. The transitional provisions allow for a 28-day period after the commencement of the 2026 Act in which all people detained under the 2001 Act must be re-examined by a consultant psychiatrist and either discharged or admitted under the new Act because some may fall outside of the definition between the old Act and the new Act. It is common practice to include transitional provisions in legislation. Transitional provisions are time-bound and in the case of this Act, they will expire and no longer be affected after 28 days. It is always at this Stage of a Bill, at the latter end of the Bill when we are just getting to Report and Final Stages, that we introduce transitional provisions.”
“A significant number of the amendments I am introducing on Report Stage relate to transitional provisions. In fact, 26 pages of the Report Stage amendments are either transitional provisions or necessary changes to other enactments, such as the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. I asked my officials to please give me a paragraph on what transitional provisions mean in plain language in order that we can all understand it. Transitional provisions are the sections of a Bill that allow for the transition from an existing Act to a new Act that will replace it. In this case, the existing Act is the Mental Health Act 2001 and the new Act will be the Mental Health Act 2026. For example, if the new 2026 Act is commenced on 1 January 2028, then there will be a short period of time when the 2001 Act will need to continue in operation.”
“One has to hold oneself to account and set deadlines. I have no problem doing that. I understand where everyone is coming from. While I agree with them in theory, I am not in a position to do it in primary legislation but I will do it in secondary legislation.”
“It has increased and I am worried but what was not said in the report this morning was that there have been 70% more referrals to CAMHS in the past five years. That is massive. The number has gone from 16,000 to 25,000. It is easy to point to a waiting list but I am trying to make sure children are not on a waiting list for too long. There will always be a waiting list. There will always be young people who need mental health support so they will always be on a waiting list but I am trying to make sure they are not on it for too long. There are waiting lists in all societies. I cannot in good conscience write into primary legislation that we will do a review of this in nine months because I have to roll out the service first. I will provide for patient advocacy services in secondary legislation.”
“For too long, children have had to go to Tallaght or Crumlin hospitals to be stabilised and then get the mental health supports they need. We have to move forward to a situation where both supports can be provided in a hospital. Regardless of what was said on "Morning Ireland" - I did not get to hear all of it today - no beds are being closed under my watch. We are opening beds. No staff will lose a job. They will be redeployed to a different area where beds are opening. I cannot be clearer about that. The Senator left; he spoke about dual diagnosis. Sharing the Vision, our mental health policy, is very clear. It was published in June 2020. Dual diagnosis is a reality now in mental health services and supports. The increased waiting list for CAMHS was mentioned.”
“I am opening beds. I funded beds again in this year's budget. We have to consolidate our service. A further €4 million was provided for 18 CAMHS acute inpatient beds in budget 2026. This includes reopening 11 beds at Linn Dara Cherry Orchard and opening seven CAMHS beds in the new national children's hospital because they will be opened on a phased basis. At the same time as we are opening beds, we are consolidating services. I have to provide the most effective services I can for children. Children who might have an eating disorder, self-harm or have suicidal ideation or clinical depression and need mental health supports may also need clinical support. They are best provided in the children's hospital.”
“Within five weeks, I put in place a new non-adversarial compensation scheme similar to the previous one. I also provided that any new children identified will not have to wait until the report is completed; they can access the scheme and the HSE is doing a further look-back. It was probably one of the lowest days I served as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health listening to parents of children who were harmed. We have done everything we can as quickly, efficiently, effectively and compassionately as possible. I recall the day I was in the Chamber that I was accused of not being compassionate but I met those parents. I am not looking for kudos or a clap on the back but it is really important that voices are heard. On the conversation about beds being closed, this Minister of State is not closing any beds.”
“I am the Minister of State who rolled out the patient advocacy service across every nursing home, public, private and voluntary. I continue that at the moment. The rollout has started across mental health services. It is under way but they have to scale up. Providing advocacy services for somebody who may be involuntarily detained or have an enduring mental health condition and is in the care of clinicians is a little different from providing advocacy services for somebody who does not have a mental health issue. That will have to be acknowledged as well. The Cathaoirleach will be very familiar with this because we have had many conversations about Kerry CAMHS. I received the report on a Friday and the parents received by registered post within ten days a copy of the report, underacted, without a word changed.”
“When we had the challenges in Kerry in 2022, I funded YAP to go into Kerry. There are 100 plus YAP advocates, 450 plus families who have participated and it is active in 22 counties. We are moving it out as best we can. I want to give a shout-out to the YAP team because they are fantastic. Not a lot of people know about them but I do, and I fund them. I have committed to expanding advocacy at the level of secondary legislation. A huge amount of what I have to do relates to secondary legislation. As I said, there is a right to advocacy in any Act in the State. Regulation is the right way to introduce advocacy. Officials in the Department will consult with all relevant stakeholders ahead of finalising the regulations. As I said, I met patient advocacy services. I reiterate that I have form when it comes to patient advocacy services.”
“I was down in Tralee meeting the parents of children impacted by Kerry CAMHS. That is what I did during the Easter recess. I met several families and went down to listen to them. I have been the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health for six years, a job I love doing. I cannot expect everyone in this Chamber to know the work I have done with various NGOs, the HSE and different Departments over that time. I am not sure how many here know about the youth advocacy programme, YAP.”
“In this Bill, there is a statutory right to appoint a nominated person on behalf of the person who is involuntarily or voluntarily detained. It has to be acknowledged; it has not been acknowledged here today. Sections 25, 42, 74 and 75 allow the nominated person to be provided with information on the person's treatment under the new Bill or on the application of a restrictive practice. That was not acknowledged either. Access to a nominated person during a mental health review board under section 27, during discharge under sections 41 and 70 and care planning under sections 179 and 180 or when making decisions about treatment under sections 44 and 79 are also provided for. That was not acknowledged here today. Senator Boyhan spoke about Kerry CAMHS. Last Thursday morning, I will him where I was.”
“Quite a lot of issues have been discussed so I will I try to address them as best I can. To be clear, I am introducing a number of amendments related to information on advocacy supports. These amendments will ensure that any person admitted under the new Act will be given information on any available advocacy supports. This will apply to both children and adults, ensuring that information on advocacy supports will be available regardless of a person's age. With regard to advocacy in the legislation, sections 185 and 186 of the Bill, as initiated, include a statutory right to appoint a nominated person on their behalf. This is a massive Bill; it has 220 sections. I have lived if for the past four years. I do not expect everyone to know what is in the Bill but this is a massive change and it has to be acknowledged.”
“There is also a programme for Government commitment to extend the patient advocacy service to support those accessing public mental health services. For the record, I wrote that into the programme for Government. The patient advocacy service is an independent, free and confidential service that can provide support to people who wish to make a complaint about the care they or a family member have received in a public acute hospital or in a public or private nursing home. Support is also provided in the aftermath of a patient safety incident. I cannot support amendments Nos. 38 or 41. I have asked the patient advocacy service to accelerate its work and to expand into mental health settings as soon as possible. I also give a commitment that it will be funded in next year’s budget.”
“Since Committee Stage concluded, I have met the patient advocacy service, and my team subsequently met the patient advocacy service again and the national advocacy service. I do have form in this area. When I was the Minister of State with special responsibility for older people, I introduced the national advocacy service to every nursing home in Ireland, public, private and voluntary. We have started to extend this into mental health services, and I will continue to do that. I give that commitment here. As I said, the national advocacy service for people with disabilities already provides support to people who use mental health services, most commonly in relation to housing, social protection or other entitlements.”
“Just because a person has chosen to admit themselves to voluntary treatment does not mean that they will not require some supports. These amendments build upon the amendment tabled by Senator Black on Committee Stage by extending access to information and advocacy supports to all people admitted to inpatient mental health settings. This was the commitment I gave to the Senator in January, I think. Advocacy is not provided for in any primary legislation, including that concerning older people and disability services. However, advocacy services are now available in those types of services. Officials in my Department will shortly begin preparations to draft all the necessary regulations to underpin the operation of the new Act. I have asked them to examine how access to advocacy can be incorporated into these regulations.”
“There was extensive debate on the topic of advocacy during Committee Stage on a number of amendments over a number of hours. Following those debates, as well as the amendment tabled by Senator Frances Black, I am introducing a number of amendments relating to information on advocacy supports. These amendments will ensure that any person admitted under the new Act will be given information relating to any available advocacy supports. This will apply to children and adults, ensuring that information and advocacy supports will be available regardless of a person’s age. Importantly, this information will be given to people where they have been involuntarily admitted or where they are seeking treatment on a voluntary basis.”
“I thank Senator Boyhan. As I have said, it is really important when we have a lot of amendments that this is the business end of the Bill. What we are seeing now is quite different to what the Bill was when it started out. Many changes have been made. We went into extensive detail on the interaction between the Mental Health Bill and the Child Care Act on Committee Stage. I thank the Attorney General, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, the Department of Health, the Department of children and the Bills Office. This is where very important work is done to align the Bill, to make sure it is readable, and to make sure there are no unintended consequences. I reiterate again there is no change to policy here, and I know this was in the briefing that Senators received. I thank Senator Boyhan.”
“The Bill has to work for children in all settings, and this includes children who are subject to different orders and arrangements under the Child Care Act. These amendments ensure the role of parents and the role of Tusla are fully understood in the Bill, and that the rights and entitlements of parents and Tusla are recognised. To simplify it, these amendments are to make sure the Bill is workable with the Child Care Act 1991. They are to ensure there are no unintended consequences, to make sure the role of Tusla and the role of parents are fully understood in the Bill, and to make sure the rights and entitlements of parents and Tusla are recognised. I ask that, if possible, Senators are able to support them.”
“This definition is required to take account of supervision orders under the Child Care Act 1991. When a child is subject to a supervision order, Tusla has fewer entitlements and rights regarding consultation and personal information regarding the child. This is why we need to differentiate between children who are subject to supervision orders, which is provided for with the "relevant notified carer" definition, and children subject to other Child Care Act orders where the child in the care of Tusla, which is provided for with the "relevant consulted carer" definition. While I appreciate that these definitions are complex on the face of it, they are necessary to ensure that all the complexities between this Bill and the Child Care Act are understood and addressed.”
“The definition does not change the policy behind the reference. I want to be really clear that there is no change in policy; it is just what the Department of children officials requested us to do. It makes it easier to read. There are 22 amendments to insert "relevant consulted carer". This definition sets out the different entitlements of parents and guardians to be consulted about their child's care and treatment and to make decisions on behalf of their child, depending on whether the child is under 16 or over 16 and whether the child has capacity. This definition also sets out in detail the entitlement of Tusla to be consulted about the treatment of a child in its custody, taking account of the various types of orders and arrangements under the Child Care Act. There are ten amendments to insert "relevant notified carer" into the Bill.”
“As Senators can see, the amendments will introduce three definitions at the start of the Bill, which set out the different roles and entitlements of parents, guardians and Tusla regarding children, depending on the age of the child and his or her admission status. Throughout Part 4 of the Bill, these definitions are used as a shorthand instead of spelling out each type of Child Care Act order or arrangement referred to in longhand each time. The three definitions are "relevant carer", "relevant consulted carer" and "relevant notified carer". There are 20 amendments to insert "relevant carer" into the Bill. In each case this definition will replace the longhand version, which is "his or her parents or guardian or the Agency, with the consent of his or her parents or guardian or the Agency".”
“Following the finalisation of Committee Stage amendments, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality sought additional minor amendments. These are primarily related to the rights of Tusla, where a child is subject to different orders under the Child Care Act, to be notified of certain actions under the Mental Health Act such as admission and discharge. Following further consultation with the Department of children, officials in my Department and in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel drafted a number of amendments to reflect the Department of children's views and to make the Bill much more readable for people.”
“The Mental Health Bill takes great care to ensure that children who are the subject of different types of orders and arrangements under the Child Care Act 1991 will be able to access inpatient mental health services on the same basis as children coming from a family home. There are approximately 70 amendments related to the interaction between this Bill and the Child Care Act in the Government's Report Stage amendments. None of these amendments represent a significant change in policy from what is in the Bill at present. Instead, they refine the existing provisions, make the Bill more readable and accessible to the public, and make sure there is consistency across the Bill in how parents and Tusla are treated regarding notifications and, where appropriate, involvement in a young person's care.”
“These amendments relate to definitions and references to the relevant carers for children throughout the Bill, to improve the readability of the Bill and to have consistency throughout the Bill, for example, with regard to provision of information to the relevant carer of the child. We discussed in extensive detail the interaction between the Mental Health Bill and the Child Care Act on Committee Stage and the Senators all took part in those discussions. The two pieces of legislation will interact in cases where a child in the care of Tusla requires admission to an inpatient mental health service. A child should have equal access to mental health services based on need, regardless of whether the child comes from a family home or from a care setting. I know this was a concern that some had.”
“These amendments are minor in nature and do not represent any policy changes to the Bill. I am letting Senators know that these amendments are minor in nature and do not represent any policy changes to the Bill. They came about after legal professionals in the Attorney General's office and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, as well as officials in my Department, reread the Bill to ensure that such a very large Bill, with 220 sections, reads correctly and that there are no typographical errors.”
“This grouping is exclusively related to minor changes to amendments in section 2 of the Bill. For example, all of the amendments that are currently in section 60 of the Bill are being moved to section 2. Another amendment is moving the definition of "involuntary admission order" slightly further down the same page to ensure that all definitions are in alphabetical order. The definition of "child" has been reworded by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to better align with wording in other relevant Acts. The meaning of the definition has not been changed but has been reworded. All of the amendments in this grouping arose from further readings of the Bill by legal professionals in the Attorney General's office and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, as well as by officials in my office.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to Standing Order 33, and with effect from 16th April, 2026, approves the Tenth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 27th March, 2026.”
“I sat with a family whose 12 hours of support at the weekend for a child who is autistic were reduced because the people did not have petrol in their car to visit. That is the reality of Independent Ireland and Sinn Féin.”
“Sandra Broderick, the regional executive officer of HSE Mid West, had to issue correspondence to politicians to allow people who did not have their appointment letter in the car to access the hospital. Last week, Sinn Féin publicly endorsed illegal blockades which infringed upon the fundamental rights of ordinary hard-working people in this country. Sinn Féin supported hard borders on this island of Ireland - the ultimate hypocrisy. These discriminatory blockades threatened fuel supplies and food security. They denied free movement and they denied access to healthcare for ordinary hard-working citizens throughout this Republic. I witnessed it first hand as a Minister. The illegal blockade supported by Sinn Féin and Independent Ireland meant ambulances had to determine and triage who they answered to.”
“-----cornerstone of our democracy and always will be. It is one of the many rights we enjoy in a free society. Sinn Féin and other agitators on the Opposition benches try to frame the illegal blockades of critical public infrastructure as a legitimate form of protest.”
“We have heard a lot from Sinn Féin and Independent Ireland about ordinary hard-working people. They say this Government will not listen to hard-working people. They say this Government has lost touch with hard-working people. They seem to think they have a monopoly on hard-working people. Well, I am a hardworking person. I worked a counter and managed a family retail business for 17 years, through good times and bad. My family are hard-working people. Since the day he started working shifts at the age of 16, my husband has worked on the ground for 44 years. I come from a community of hard-working people in Portlaw. I got into politics to represent ordinary hard-working people. Last week, Sinn Féin and Independent Ireland shamefully blurred the lines between peaceful protests and illegal blockades. Peaceful protest is a cherished-----”
“This will then be followed by the financial resolutions to underpin the significant package of supports announced by the Government on Sunday so these important reliefs are implemented immediately. The Order of Business stands.”
“It is normal practice for the Government to put forward a motion of confidence when a motion of no confidence is tabled by the Opposition. It is important that this happens at the earliest opportunity. It supersedes all other business so that the Dáil has the opportunity to express its confidence in the Government and get on with the important business.”
“the proceedings on the Second Stage of the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025 [ Seanad ] shall, if not previously concluded, be interrupted and stand adjourned at the end of the first speaking round and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the first-round speeches, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the table below (to be read across); (b) where speeches conclude before the 3 hours and 24 minutes have elapsed and no other member is offering, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a speech in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time. Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 20 20 20 12 4 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 20 12 4 20 12 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 4 20 12 4 20 Total: 3 hours and 24 minutes”
“the proceedings on Report and Final Stages of the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 1 hour by one question, which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. In relation to Thursday's business, it is proposed that: 1. notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, topical issues may be taken earlier than 7.24 p.m. with consequential effect on the commencement time for Second Stage of the Disregard of Historic Offences for Consensual Sexual Activity Between Men Bill 2025, and on the time for the adjournment of the Dáil; and 2.”
“or on the conclusion of the International Protection Bill 2026, whichever is the later, and shall not exceed 3 hours and 32 minutes and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the statements, not including the Ministerial response, shall be in accordance with the sequence contained in the table immediately below (to be read across); (b) following the statements, a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed 10 minutes; and (c) members may share time; and Gov SF Lab Gov SF Mins 35 25 15 15 5 SD Gov SF IPTG Gov Mins 15 15 5 12 15 SF ITG Gov SF OM Mins 5 12 15 5 8 Total: 3 hours and 22 mins 7.”
“the proceedings on the Motion re Tenth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection shall be taken without debate and any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately; 5. the proceedings on the amendments from the Seanad to the International Protection Bill 2026 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 3 hours, and any amendments from the Seanad not disposed of shall be decided by one question which shall be put from the Chair, and which shall, in relation to amendments to the Seanad amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 6. the Statements on Football shall be taken either at 5 p.m.”