I compliment the Cathaoirleach, the Ceann Comhairle and everyone here in the Oireachtas who organised a very special joint sitting of the Houses. I also compliment the President of Ukraine and offer our unwavering solidarity to the Ukrainian people. The Minister, Deputy Martin, was here last night to discuss tourism. I did not take the opportunity to welcome the new artists' income scheme that has been announced. A thriving cultural economy is built on the work of people from all backgrounds in our society who have…

I welcome the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to the House.

I welcome Senator Clonan and invite him to speak if he wishes. I share the congratulations to you and wish you all the best during your time here.

A copy of the Minister of State's speech was not distributed. Will the Minister of State remind me how many amendments he proposes to bring forward on Committee Stage? I am wondering why they were not included in the Bill as drafted so we could debate those issues on Second Stage, as would normally be the case. I read the briefing note that was drafted and circulated last week and the words "unauthorised developments" were used on two separate occasions. I am sure I have heard those words in the course of this deba…

I welcome the Minister to the House. I appreciate her time here, given the six portfolios she has to her name. I was delighted to see Tourism Ireland invite over the directly-elected mayors of greater Manchester and Liverpool city. It is great to see the link-up between Ireland and those cities so close to us. It is welcome that the night-time economy was a feature of those discussions. I know that Sacha Lord, the night-time economy advisor for greater Manchester, was here, invited by Tourism Ireland, and was part …

The House is scheduled to adjourn at 8.15 p.m. but the Minister may take a few more minutes if required.

That is a good note to end on. I thank the Minister.

Belfast.

The Senator forgot Belfast.

I welcome the Government's approval yesterday for the national centre for research and remembrance, to be located at the site of the former Magdalen laundry on Seán McDermott Street in Dublin city centre. The centre will serve as a national memorial to honour all those who were resident in mother and baby homes, industrial schools, reformatories, Magdalen laundries and related institutions. I welcome that it will comprise a museum and exhibition space led by the National Museum of Ireland, a place of reflection and…

You were not even here for the Middle East debate. Where were you for the Middle East debate?

I will not speak for long. I appreciate Senator Keogan taking the Chair so I could make a small contribution. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Sinn Féin will support these regulations. We all know that the buildings, schools, community centres, arts centres and art galleries have been very conscious of the importance of their role in the response to the pandemic. As the Minister of State said, they have been a cornerstone of Ireland's response to the pandemic. The likes of those arts centres, schools a…

This legislation is long overdue. The Law Reform Commission proposed such legislation back in 1977, and it was again proposed by Mr. Phil Hogan in 2014. Sinn Féin will support the legislation, as it did in the Dáil. While the construction industry register has existed voluntarily since 2014, we have to ensure that it is truly independent in nature. Sinn Féin has expressed the view that a construction industry register should be truly independent. That means independent of the industry and not located within the ind…

Go raibh maith agat, Minister. Thank you, as ever, for taking the time to come here.

I am in the schedule next to speak. However, I will go to Senator Sherlock and then speak after that, if that is okay.

I welcome all the Ukrainian people who have arrived on our island. I also commend the generosity of the Irish people to date. Where does one even begin? What we are watching is totally inhumane, grotesque and deeply unnecessary. It is difficult to watch and sometimes we switch off from the news. What a privileged position that is to be in to be able to do that. It is certainly not a privilege enjoyed by Ukrainian people either at home under siege or abroad watching on. They have shown incredible courage, bravery an…

I can give the Senator five minutes.

No.

I have offered the Senator more time because the debate has sped up.

I look forward to the statements on the humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees in the House at 2 p.m. tomorrow. I also wish to extend my condolences to all who knew David Hill who passed away suddenly while the Oireachtas rugby team was playing the Scottish Parliament team at the weekend. I played with the Oireachtas rugby team only a couple times in Donnybrook before Six Nations games and I know how close all the players are with those in the other parliaments. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. The Society o…