When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 3 is the Sick Leave Bill 2022, Report and Final Stages. Before I call the Leader, I welcome to the Public Gallery Councillor Damien O'Reilly and Councillor Robert McDermott, his daughter, Ms Ellen McDermott, and brother, Mr. Andrew McDermott, and Andrew's daughter. You are all very welcome to Leinster House. I hope you have a lovely day here. I also welcome another group, Mr. Gavin McGowan, Ms Susan Meehan and Mr. Liam McBride, who are visiting Leinster House from Donegal. You are all very welcome. I hope you e…

As the Minister of State has been delayed by a vote in the Dáil, it is proposed to suspend until 3.05 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We are due to resume with No. 3 but the Dáil is still in the middle of a vote. I understand the Leader wishes to make a proposal.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House finally, following the Dáil votes. Before we commence, I remind Senators that a Member may speak only once on Report Stage, except the proposer of an amendment, who may reply to discussion on the amendment and each non-Government amendment must be seconded. Amendment No. 1 arises out of committee proceedings. Is there someone who will second Senator Gavan’s amendment?

Amendment No. 1 then falls.

Amendment No. 2 arises out of committee proceedings. Amendments Nos. 2, 7 and 8 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed. Senator Sherlock is not here, so amendment No. 2 will fall as well.

Amendments Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, are ruled out of order. They have previously been rejected by a committee of the whole Seanad.

Amendment No. 6 is ruled out of order as a potential charge on the Revenue.

Amendment No. 7 arises out of committee proceedings. It has been grouped with amendment No. 2. Senator Sherlock is not here, so it falls.

Amendment No. 9 arises out of committee proceedings, but Senator Sherlock is not here, so it falls.

Amendments Nos. 10 to 14, inclusive, are ruled out of order. They have previously been rejected by a committee of the whole Seanad.

Amendments Nos. 15 and 16 are ruled out of order as potential charges on the Revenue.

The Senator cannot speak to the amendment because it is out of order.

The Senator cannot speak to the amendment because it is out of order.

The Senator can speak to the Bill. He may go ahead.

I appreciate that we are where we are with the Bill and if I was sitting where the Senator is sitting, I would probably be echoing the same points. However, from the Chair, I have to be neutral and I must point out that, at this stage, where the Bill has been received for final consideration, only very brief comments can be made. I invite Senators Ahearn and Casey to make brief points.

I have had representations made to me on the same note. Again, while I have to be completely impartial in the Chair, those points have been very well made by all of the Senators. I call the Minister of State to reply.