We will try to give the Senator one minute. It is all I can do.

The Minister has taken time off his allocation already and he was unavoidably caught up.

I am told that we must get an order of the House. The Order of Business was agreed today. We are wasting time now, actually.

We will check that out. Is that agreed?

The Senator has two minutes.

I thank the Senator for his co-operation. Senator Kyne may not move the amendment but we are trying to get a few extra minutes. Perhaps for now he can take three minutes and Senator Buttimer two and we will try to fit in Senator Cummins.

We have been told that the Senator can move an extension for ten minutes. Will he propose that?

Is that agreed? Agreed. We can get everyone in now, including the Minister. I can work miracles.

I thank Senator Kyne and apologise for the interruption. I suggest that Senators Buttimer and Cummins have two and a half minutes each.

Senator Buttimer, please, address the Chair.

Senator Buttimer to speak without interruption.

Certainly, when I came to chair this debate over an hour ago, I did not think would be so exciting with all that has gone on. Before I call the Minister, I appreciate all Senators for their co-operation. The Minister rang me when we were five minutes late. I knew that he was caught up in a meeting and he was trying to get here. I appreciate the Senators cut their time to accommodate that. I particularly appreciate my colleague Senator Daly, who I slapped down strongly at the start and he will never forgive me, and …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, to the House. The transition from brown to green is happening. I want to mention north-east Roscommon because Lanesborough and Ballyleague in Longford, as the Minister of State knows, are separated from the area by the River Shannon. The people of that region are prepared to make that change but, as Senator Carrigy has eloquently pointed out, commitments were made by Bord na Móna and the ESB, two semi-State bodies, to help society. I acknowledge the Minister for…

I welcome the statement on behalf of the Minister. We acknowledge the ESB is still involved in negotiations, although there was little mention of Bord na Móna. We are anxious it should play its part in this as well. The communities have been fantastic to Bord na Móna over the years and it has been good to the communities as well. On the environmental change from brown to green, we must remember the just transition. It is important to recognise that it was to be an eight-year process, which was brought down to two a…

Like many other Senators, I welcome the Tánaiste to the House. I acknowledge his role, along with the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the wider Government, in trying to assist many people in business and employees in what I have described to the House on many occasions as extraordinary times, not ordinary times. Before I speak about the hospitality and entertainment sector, despite the difficulties we have, it is very important to acknowledge the financial assistance that has been made available. In the c…

I thank Senator Casey for his very passionate contribution.

I am in the Chair and rule that exactly. I urge the Senator to continue.

On this special day dealing with disabilities, I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for her commitment to the sector, which is recognised by everybody as strong and extraordinary. We have a lot of work to do but the Minister of State is certainly doing well in standing up for people. Like the Minister of State, Senator Clifford-Lee and others, I would prefer not to be here this morning having to support the legislation. I will say what I said yesterday in a debate. These are not ordinary times; they are ex…

Now.

Now.