I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I wish her well. We were good friends when we were in the Dáil together. I know she has major challenges and I wish her well with that.

The Minister of State is staying with us. If it is in order, we will move to Senator Gallagher as he is the only one here at the moment. Is the Minister of State taking the question about Ballybay Community College, County Monaghan?

I presume it is all right if we move to Senator Gallagher. We need to keep moving.

I thank the Senator. Brevity is his middle name.

There was some good news there for Senator Gallagher but I am sure he will have a supplementary question.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to the Seanad this morning. I wish him well. I soldiered with him in the Dáil from 2016 to 2020. He was always committed. I know he will be very committed to his new role.

I thank the Ministers of State, Deputies Naughten, Butler and Byrne, for coming to the House this morning and giving of their time in such a friendly manner. It is nice to see that happening in the Seanad. I congratulate all of the Senators for how they have put their case and their co-operation with the Chair.

As people will be aware, I am fair to everybody this House. I understand fully that we must tease out legislation and I always respect that in this House. As I am a new Member, I sat back for a while without saying anything. I have to say, however, that having known Senator Boyhan as a friend for many years, I am upset by what he said. He is a man of generosity in many ways and if he is a man of generosity he should withdraw one part of that allegation regarding the Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I do not agre…

I never interrupted Senator Higgins, so some respect please.

She was speaking.

This is important. Some 12,000 jobs are under attack. Small businesses have lobbied us because their businesses will be gone before Christmas. Ordinary families will not have a wage packet for Christmas. I am not saying that any Senators do not have the right to tease this out but something strange has been happening in this Chamber over the past hour and it concerns me. I do not want to say too much at this point. If Senators believe in rights for everybody on this island, then please take into account why we are …

To be quite honest, if the Covid-19 regulations were not in place, I would take Senators down to Ballygar where there are 200 such jobs and to Ballinasloe, where there are other such jobs. There is a small pallet-making business run by a family near me from Lanesborough- Ballyleague-----

Members of Senator Boylan's party, Sinn Féin, have been lobbied on this issue in my region as well and they know the story. I also mentioned Glennon Brothers in Longford and Masonite.

I will speak through the Chair. Throughout my part of the world, people are watching this debate. They are ordinary people whose livelihoods are threatened. This is why we are here. This is why the legislation is coming through. I am aware the Minister and the Government have given a commitment in the programme for Government that further legislation will be forthcoming to discuss the whole area of forestry.

Senator O'Loughlin is way over time. I have been very liberal as regards her time.

I do not usually interrupt, but speakers have five minutes and I ring the bell 30 seconds before they are due to finish. I apologise for interrupting Senator O'Loughlin.

I thank the Senator for her co-operation on time. Senator Warfield is next. I nearly called him Derek Warfield earlier but it is Fintan. Imagine Senator Derek Warfield.

I apologise but I am trying to keep everybody to time. I thank the Senator. Our next three speakers are Senators Higgins, Craughwell and McGreehan. I call Senator Higgins to speak now.

Can I point out to the Senators that almost all of them are not adhering to the five minutes they have been given? I said I would ring the bell when there were 30 seconds remaining. I hate crossing people but if we are to have a proper debate and allow every speaker in, I have to adjudicate and give fair play to everybody. That is what I will do while in the Chair. I ask all Members to co-operate and I thank them for doing so. I call Senator Gerard Craughwell, who has five minutes.

I thank Senator Currie, who was inside the time. The next three speakers are Senators Sharon Keogan, Malcolm Byrne and Mary Seery Kearney. I apologise to Senator Byrne. At the time I told him he would be next the Independent slot was not filled but Senator Keogan is here and I am sure Senator Byrne will understand.