On behalf of Fine Gael, I echo the sentiments of other Senators. The debate has been very engaging. A collaborative approach has been taken. That was made all the more easier by the Minister of State's approach. I thank everybody who put in such huge work into it and working together. The emphasis that is on mental health now is an awful lot more significant and far better than it was when I was growing up in the eighties and nineties and the country is all the better for that. Long may that continue. Any additiona…

Chomh maith leis na Seanadóirí eile, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Collins. I do not have a huge amount to add to what Senator Rabbitte said. She summarised the Government's position. I second the counter-motion on the basis that it is premature at this point, pending the outcome of deliberations and feedback from the implementation group. We will proceed from that point. I second the counter-motion and reiterate the position of Senator Rabbitte.

Amendments Nos. 129 to 132, inclusive, 136, 138 and 139 are related. Amendment No. 131 is a physical alternative to No. 130. Amendments Nos. 129 to 132, inclusive, 136, 138 and 139 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 140 to 148, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed. Amendment No. 143 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 142. Amendments Nos. 147 and 148 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 146.

Is amendment No. 140 being pressed?

The Government amendment is No. 143.

Is amendment No. 144 being pressed?

Amendments Nos. 149, 150, 298, 369 and 384 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 151 and 152 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Acceptance of amendment No 156 involves the deletion of section 59 of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 156 to 159, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire chuig an Teach. Like Senator Gallagher, I welcome the proposal for the opt-in. As the Minister said, this was initiated at the Council of Europe, as opposed to the European Union, in its secondary legislation, or what is referred to as a non-legislative enactment, which I understand is on a par with the statutory instruments with which we would be more familiar. As Senator Gallagher outlined, crime is evolving, and crime protection measures need to evolve with crime. Co-operation with ou…

I welcome the Minister to the House. We will resume on amendment No. 20 to section 22 and I believe Senator McDowell has the floor.

Sula dtiocfaimid ar ais chuig an Seanadóir Black, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh na daltaí ó Balbriggan Educate Together. I welcome the pupils of Balbriggan Educate Together, who are here as guests of Deputy Louise O'Reilly. As is tradition here in the Seanad, there is no obair bhaile, no homework, for today or tomorrow.

Before we suspend, I wish to welcome guests of Deputy Robert Troy from Derry and a second group from Balbriggan Educate Together. As we said to the earlier group, there is no homework following your visit to the Seanad. That is a tradition here.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach sa Teach chun an rún a phlé. On the correction made by Senator Flynn, the amount involved is actually in excess of €31,000, as the Minister of State indicated.

It is €31,000. Senator Flynn began her initial contribution by saying she felt she understood the role of a councillor better than anybody else in this Chamber and that she admired the courage of those who put their names forward in local elections, which she did not do. Many in this Chamber have done that and have served as councillors. With the greatest of respect-----

With respect-----

With respect, who better can understand the role of a councillor than those who have served as councillors?

I welcome the involvement of the local authority representative associations, including the AILG, of which I was a member for the entire duration of my time as a councillor, as was my colleague beside me Senator Brady and our colleague Councillor Anna Grainger, who is in the Gallery. The AILG does great work in representing councillors. It is also true to say that the Association of Irish Local Government has three of the 14 representatives on the local democracy task force and that LAMA, which is represented here …

It must have been millions.