The Minister is welcome to the Seanad. I always appreciate how he attends for our debates. This is a difficult time for him, given the major price increases in oil and gas. They do not just affect Ireland, but the world. People are afraid about receiving large electricity and fuel bills. I accept that a number of measures in the budget will be of assistance, for example, an increase in the qualified child payment of €2 per week for children under 12 years of age and €3 per week for children over that age, an increa…

I know that the Acting Chairperson and the Minister of State, who hails from the same county as me, will have an interest in this matter. In recent times, this issue has been raised in the Seanad but it is important that we continue to fight the case on behalf of the particular group of people involved. I will read from a letter that I received recently. I will not mention any names or the part of the country involved, but it is a town in rural Ireland. The letter is from somebody who is involved in a jobs club and…

I thank the Minister of State for his answer, even though I do not agree with a great deal of it. He knows, from the experience in our part of the country, that the jobs club is a free service which helps people with job applications and which provides formal training, walk-in support clinics, job interview preparation and information in respect of employment supports. The clubs also arrange the provision of the latter. The list goes on and includes information on employment rights. These supports and services are …

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, na Seanadóirí agus gach duine eile. Before we commence, I remind Members that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage, except the proposer of an amendment, who may reply to the discussion on it. Each non-Government amendment on Report Stage must be seconded. Amendment No. 1 arises out of committee proceedings and is grouped with amendments Nos. 14, 15 and 18, which are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Does the Minister of State wish to respond?

Amendments Nos. 2 and 3 are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We return to Senator Higgins. There was some good news for you there.

Sorry, Senator. I really do not want to interrupt you but, really, I would prefer that we would wait to discuss all those amendments. You will have an opportunity to discuss them-----

We are discussing amendments Nos. 2 and 3, but-----

I am conscious of the time and to make sure we get through all your amendments.

If amendment No. 4 is agreed, amendments Nos. 5 and 6 cannot be moved. Amendments Nos. 5 and 6 are logical alternatives to amendment No. 4. Amendments Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I will not interrupt you this time, Senator Higgins.

If amendment No. 7 is agreed, amendments Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, cannot be moved. Amendments Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, are logical alternatives to amendment No. 7. Amendments Nos. 7 to 11, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

If Members wish to speak, I ask them to raise their hands and I will ensure their voices are heard.

I made it very clear as we started proceedings today that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage except the proposer of an amendment, who is entitled to reply.

I did not want to interrupt. It should have been Senator Ruane. Unfortunately, I cannot now let Senator Ruane in. It is just the way it happened, but I want to be straight with the Senator. I apologise because I should not have allowed things to continue.

I hope both the Senators understand.

If the question on amendment No. 12 is agreed, amendment No. 13 cannot be moved. Amendment No. 13 is a logical alternative to amendment No. 12. Amendments Nos. 12 and 13 are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Amendments Nos. 16 and 17 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Even though I do not always agree with Senator Keogan, and did not agree with some of her comments today, I am glad she has recovered and is back in the Chamber. It is good to see her back in full health again. I join other Members in extending our sympathies to the family of the Conservative MP Sir David Amess and also to the families of Brendan Kennelly and Máire Mhac an tSaoi. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that is, that No. 20 be taken before No. 1. During my term in Dáil Éireann, I produced a…