Is that agreed? Agreed.

I request to share time with Senator Cathal Byrne, if that is agreeable.

The Minister of State is welcome to the Chamber. I appreciate his being here. As most Senators have said, the European Union has had an incredibly positive impact on this State for the past 52 years. Ireland has been a beneficiary during its membership. We have, financially, been a net beneficiary for a long time. I remember driving on roads and seeing the signs for motorways that were built with investment from the European Union. We thought we were doing wicked well by convincing them all to give us money to buil…

That is not what I said.

Do not mislead.

No one is throwing it away.

Next Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

Senator Ryan is sharing time with Senator Andrews. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Senator Cosgrove is sharing time with Senator Stephenson. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome guests from Roscommon of former Senator Mary Seery Kearney. I see David there. They are in good hands. I hope they have a good day in Leinster House. I wish them well. They will be interested that the next speaker is from Roscommon, Senator Scahill.

Through the Chair, please. Senator Andrews had his time to speak.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I would also like to be associated with the comments of the Leader about the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. I send my condolences to everyone who is upset and grieving at this time. We also had a bereavement through a tragic accident in Tipperary a few days ago. A young 18-year-old girl, Bronagh English, passed away. It might not be realised by those in the House that she is connected to the House. Her grand-aunt was the former Fianna Fáil Senator, Ann Ormonde from Waterford, and her grandfather was the form…

The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, is very welcome to the Chamber for this important discussion on the forestry sector.

I thank the Senator. The next slot is for Sinn Féin. Senator Collins is sharing time with Senator Tully. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I call Senator Noonan, I welcome Teresa Murphy, a sister of Senator P. J. Murphy, to the Chamber. As we all know in this Chamber, you cannot get elected without the support of your family, so I hope the Senator is looking after you today.

I welcome the Minister of State. In the limited time I have, I cannot talk on every issue I would like to address. There is a particular issue I wish to raise, however. In his opening contribution, the Minister of State spoke about wanting to be a Minister of State who delivers and that if he does not deliver, then forestry fails, he fails as a Minister of State and the Government fails. That is true and the right way to look at it. There is one thing he can do that will differentiate him from previous Ministers an…

Yes, if that is okay.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The Tánaiste is very welcome to the Chamber today. Obviously, it has been a very interesting 24 hours. It is apt to have him in the Chamber to be able to address us on these pressing matters. When we talk about international relations and international trade, it is important first of all to look at our own country and where we are positioned. As the Tánaiste noted in his contribution, we come from a position of strength and we are at full employment. Since Fine Gael came into govern…