The education aspect is vital. I am aware of some of the programmes conducted by the local fire services. An excellent programme is conducted in Cavan for third class pupils. I would like to see that extended to secondary schools as a refresher course, if possible. The main message I want to get across, however, is that without smoke alarms, if there is a fire in your house, there is a 90% chance that you or your family will not wake up. The anomaly is that before the new regulations were introduced in 1997, houses…

I welcome the Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, to the Chamber. It is my first opportunity to have the honour of welcoming him as Minister for Justice. I wish him well in the four and a half years or more, hopefully, ahead. I also welcome visitors to the Public Gallery who have an interest in this particular subject. I congratulate Senators Harmon, Cosgrove, Noonan and Stephenson on tabling this important legislation. It is profoundly regrettable that we have to lay this type of legislation before the Oireachtas. Unfortun…

At 9.30 a.m. tomorrow.

The surgeon the Senator referred to is Dr. Morgan McMonagle from Cavan town. He is doing excellent work in Gaza.

I wish to offer a clarification. Committee Stage has been ordered for two hours this evening. We may finish Committee Stage today, depending on the progress we make within those two hours. This evening's debate must conclude one way or the other by 7.32 p.m. As Senator Craughwell and other colleagues are well aware, if the Committee Stage debate concludes, we move on in due course to Report Stage. There will be an opportunity on Report Stage to put forward amendments not already debated and that are accepted by the…

The order of the House is that we debate Committee Stage of this Bill today, and if is not concluded within two hours, it will be adjourned. That is quite clear. My hands are tied on that. I am merely pointing out the facts of the situation.

Everybody is entitled to speak on this section, including Senator Craughwell or any other Member of this House.

Just a moment. There will be one Chair here. Everybody, as long as I am in the Chair, will be entitled to speak. If there are no other people offering-----

The Senator can speak on this section.

When is it proposed to take the next Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Does the Minister of State have anything further to add?

I thank colleagues for their co-operation.

I join Senators Keogan and Flynn in acknowledging that today is the final day at work in this House of Aisling Hart. Aisling Hart is well known to all of us for her dedication and commitment to this House. It is important we acknowledge today her 45 years of public service, 38 years of which were spent in Leinster House. Aisling worked in various areas of these Houses, from the committees and human resource management to interparliamentary matters and most especially as private secretary to six Seanad Cathaoirligh,…

Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, you are all very welcome for the first meeting of our new Seanad. I congratulate everybody who has been elected or selected to serve in this House. I also remember those who were, unfortunately, unsuccessful in their attempt to be re-elected to this House. It is important to remember them here today as well. I will say a few words. First, as a Cavan man, I am delighted to be joined by four other Senators from County Cavan. I think it is the first time that has ever happened, and I …

Does Senator Curley wish to second the proposal?

Are there any other proposals? No. Senator Mark Daly has been formally proposed and seconded. As there are no other proposals, the question will be put.

Now.

Amendments Nos. 36 and 37 have been ruled out of order, as they are not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill.

Amendment No. 40 has been ruled out of order because it is not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill.