I have received notice from Senator John Whelan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to direct the Irish Prison Service to enter into meaningful consultation and negotiations with the Prison Officers Association on working conditions, management culture and the safety of prison service personnel.
I have also received notice from Senator Tony Mulcahy of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the proposed roadmap for the domestic violence legislation.
I have also received notice from Senator Ivana Bacik of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to inform the House when she proposes to address the ongoing problems experienced by individuals with criminal records in disclosing only an old conviction or a small number of convictions for minor offences, in the light of the absence of any system to support these individuals to enable their convictions to be considered spent for the purposes of job or visa applications.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Bradford of the following matter:
The need for the Government to express Ireland's revulsion of the recent killing of the Russian politician, Mr. Boris Nemtsov, and concern about the ongoing expansionist policies of the President of Russia, Mr. Vladimir Putin.
I have also received notice from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the reason speed vans are not located at dangerous driving black spots but appear to be placed instead in areas where speed limits decrease, thus prioritising revenue collection over enabling positive driving behaviour.
I have also received notice from Senator Katherine Zappone of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline his Department's strategy to mobilise those not on the register of electors to be included in the supplement to the register of electors in order to be able to vote in the forthcoming referendums.
I regard the matters raised by the Senators as suitable for discussion. I have selected the matters raised by Senators John Whelan, Tony Mulcahy, Ivana Bacik and Paul Bradford and they will be taken now. Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Katherine Zappone may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise.