I move amendment No. 1: In page 11, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "Protection from prosecution 9. A person shall not be considered to have committed an offence under section 6 or 7 , where the person engaged in conduct alleged to constitute an offence under section 6 or 7 — (a) in order to provide, in the course of his or her work on behalf of a bona fide humanitarian organisation, assistance to a person seeking international protection in the State or equivalent status in another state if the pur…

Will the Acting Chairman clarify if there is a guillotine on this? Is this coming to an end tonight?

If the Acting Chairman gives me one second, I will get my train of thought back. I beg his pardon. I looked at a number of issues and a number of documents. In particular, I looked at the submission made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. It made a number of detailed submissions which the Minister of State referred to in his speech on Second Stage but which have not been taken on board whatsoever. It said section 9 would have a chilling effect. In its submission on the general scheme - it is still a…

I wish to speak to it.

I used the word "guillotine" and I want to clarify there is no guillotine but it is important to say it has to be finished tonight as that is the Order of Business. Is that correct?

I see. In that sense there is a guillotine. We could stay until 4 a.m. but it must be finished tonight. That is most unfortunate.

That is what I understood but when I checked-----

That is good because it would be a burden to stand here, especially after the news the Minister of State has given us. These are issues that need to be teased out. On the Minister of State's response to Deputy Tóibín, it was not the Deputy's fault or our fault, but there is no way to be vigilant an hour and a half ahead of time. I was in the Chair and saw what was happening. It should have been teased out at that point and it was not. It was not the Minister of State's fault. He gave his speech but it certainly was…

Why was there a conscious decision not to do so? I fail to grasp why there was such a decision for almost 21 years. Do we not sign something with a view to ratifying it, unless we have to take certain steps in the meantime? We are ratifying it 21 years later.

I thank the Minister of State for the correction. I agree with him. With the reversal of the burden of evidence, the Minister of State is trying to sort out a problem with existing legislation; namely, the failure to have prosecutions. However, we have nothing before us on why that failed and what the problems were. There is nothing here to tell us what the issues with that legislation are, other than that there is an absence of prosecutions. We are dealing with that problem while putting the burden on people and o…

I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding the mother and baby homes redress scheme. On Tuesday, 23 November 2021, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed, and in accordance with Standing Order 80(2), that division must be taken now.

I must now deal with a postponed division relating to Second Stage of the Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021, which took place on Wednesday, 24 November 2021. On the question, "That the amendment to the motion be made", a division was claimed, and in accordance with Standing Order 80(2), that division must be taken now.

Before we start, I have a reminder about health and safety. Members and all in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members are strongly advised to practise good hand hygiene and observe the chequerboard seating arrangement. They should also maintain an appropriate level of social distancing during and after the sitting. Masks, preferably of a medical grade, should be worn at all times during the sitting, except when speakin…

I thank Members for their co-operation. I hope it continues to the next item.

As agreed for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency, the rapporteur's report of the Order of Business shall be taken as read. Are the proposed arrangements for this week's business agreed to?

The question is on the Order of Business, not to answering queries. Is the Order of Business agreed to?

Are the proposed arrangements for this week's business agreed to?

Táimid thar am.

I thank the Deputy.

The Deputy is over time.