Senator, please.

Senator, please. The disrespect you have shown the Chair is simply not on.

If you do not like this motion, you have a chance to vote against it if you wish. Let the Minister respond and let her finish what she has to say.

Senator, you might think you can take me for a ride down the road on this but I can tell you this much. I am not a fool and what you have mentioned is not a point of order. Please continue, Minister.

I extend a welcome to Alex Furey from St. Flannan's College, County Clare. He is a transition year student who is here with Senator Dooley to look at the workings of the Seanad and Dáil Éireann. He is very welcome.

I hope he has a nice day and is enjoying what he is hearing and seeing. I also wish a céad míle fáilte to the other people in the Gallery. I thank all the Senators for engaging in the debate and expressing their views, whether they were on one side or the other.

I pay tribute to the fantastic athletes we have at the moment, especially our relay team last night. They were up against the Dutch, who are such wonderful runners and were big favourites to win this race. Our relay team of Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy, Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley are coming home with silver medals. It is so exciting to watch and creates such a feel-good factor for the country. It makes us very proud as Irish people to listen to coverage on RTÉ radio this morning and hear family members and…

I congratulate all those councillors who have been elected to date. We have lost some very good people across the system as well. We should think of them and their families. It is a really disappointing time when you suffer a loss like that. I want to commend the Leader on a very credible performance in Midlands-North-West. We will gain a seat there, which is good, but she played her part seriously in that as well and I commend her on that. I also rise this morning to pay tribute to a former Member of this House, f…

I join with the Cathaoirleach and Senator Byrne in wishing Seán Defoe a good and happy future life. He has had a difficult time. I heard part of his interview yesterday. We all know Seán very well around here so we certainly wish him well. I am sure the Acting Leader will join with me in also welcoming the fact that yesterday, we had a Government announcement of €250 million in sports capital funding. While I know clubs will not be made aware of their actual financial allocations for a number of weeks, it is a sign…

Do not forget Monday is a bank holiday.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. This is a very important day and it is a good day, as stated by Senator Seery Kearney. Fianna Fáil very much welcomes this motion as it seeks approval for the increase in parental leave, for the third successive time in the term of this Government. As the Minister of State has already said, the motion details the final increase in parent's leave and benefit from seven weeks to nine weeks, which will take effect from 1 August of this year. The support applies to bot…

I want to raise two issues. First of all, it is good to see Senator Gallagher acting as Leader and I welcome him back. I welcome that the Government is bringing in mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious accidents and that will swing into action this weekend. I would add that it should not only apply to serious accidents. I have stated here in this House previously that there is an epidemic out there with drivers taking cocaine. It is a real threat on the roads now. At one time, it was drink-driving. That is…

How stands the amendment?

The Senator is entitled to respond but we need to move on.

I have a responsibility too.

Before they leave, I welcome the ladies from the Thurles Active Retirement Group on my left and right. They are guests of Deputy Jackie Cahill, who, I am glad to say, is my colleague on corridor 2 in Leinster House 2000. I hope they enjoy the rest of their day. It was lovely to have them here. Slán.

How stands the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 5, 6 and 20 to 23, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Amendment No. 20 is consequential on amendment No. 5.

Amendments Nos. 7 and 8 are related and may be discussed together.

Amendments 13 to 19, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.