Today as Members of Dáil Éireann, we are all here to elect a Government and Taoiseach following the result of the general election. That is our duty. The Ceann Comhairle has given a clear commitment to work with all parties and none to resolve the issue of the technical group. I reiterate the Government's clear commitment to work with her and that process to resolve that to ensure we have a politically acceptable solution. The Dáil will resume on 5 February and I want to ensure that together, we can ensure we have …

The meeting will be 30 minutes long and parties will then have 15 minutes.

Thank you, Ceann Comhairle. Following a series of meetings between party Whips today, a number of measures have been agreed. These meetings were held to enable the democratic process of this House and do what we were all elected to Dáil Éireann to do, that is, to elect a Taoiseach and Government. All parties have agreed to allow the democratic process to proceed. There were a number of agreements and it is my understanding that that is now in dispute.

The nomination of Taoiseach should now proceed as per the order of the House.

I move: "That the Dáil now adjourn until 12 midday, Wednesday, 22 January 2025."

I thank the Deputy for his question. I am glad he raised it. An absolute priority of mine, as Minister of State with responsibility for special education, is to get the therapists into schools. I assure him that we will be rolling out the rest of the phasing of the pilot scheme, as promised. Work is ongoing with the Deputy’s colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, on the identification of the therapists and putting them into schools as quickly as possible.

Hear, hear.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Data Protection Act 2018 (Section 51(3)) (Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry) Regulations 2024 (without debate) - Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024 (without debate and any division claimed shall be taken immediately) - Finance Bill 2024 (Committee and remaining Stages) (to conclude within 4 hours) - Family Courts Bill 2022 [Sea…

I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2024, a copy of which has been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 23rd October, 2024, be referred to the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in accordance with Standing Order 95(5), which, not later than 6th November, 2024, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 101, and Standing Order 100(2) shall accordingly apply.

What we want to do is ultimately to roll out therapists in special schools so they can work with children during the school day and children will not have to leave the school setting to attend appointments in the community. The Deputy mentioned the work around St. Killian's. That is an issue for the HSE and the Minister of State with responsibility for disability. We set up a pilot between Dublin and Cork for these school therapists and we want to see that rolled out across the country. We are starting with Dublin …

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Thirty-Fourth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection and Appointment of Committee Cathaoirleach ( without debate ) - Motion re Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2024 ( to conclude within 57 minutes ) - Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024 [ Seanad ] (Second Stage) (to conclude within 1 hr 57 mins and any division claimed to be taken immediately prior to Committee Stage on Wednesday ) - M…

No.

The Government’s legislative programme, which was published on 18 September, sets out the Government’s legislative priorities for the current parliamentary session. The programme sets out 61 Bills for priority publication and drafting across many areas, including maternity protection, housing, criminal justice and electoral reform, among many others, during the autumn Dáil session. Since the Government came to office in June 2020, 220 Bills have been published and 206 have been enacted. During the current Dáil sess…

Those are matters for the Bills’ respective line Ministers, so the Deputy might raise them with those Ministers directly.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Approval of Appointment of Members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (without debate) - Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2024 (without debate, and any division claimed to be taken on Wednesday immediately following the Motion re Extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, but no earlier than 6 p.m.) - Motion re Leave to Introduce Supplementary Estimate…

It is not opposed.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Order 34(a) or in the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders, Leaders' Questions pursuant to Standing Order 36 shall be taken now, followed immediately by the Order of Business pursuant to Standing Order 35, following which the ordinary routine of business shall be taken, subject to the arrangements agreed on the Order of Business.

Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Appointment of Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (without debate) - Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Trade Marks (Madrid Protocol) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (without debate) - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate) - Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 (Second Stage) (to conclude after first round and any division claimed to be taken immediately pr…

I propose that the Business Committee meet to discuss the timings around statements on this very important issue.

I can come back to do that. If the Business Committee wants to meet and agree a time, I can come back in and propose a motion.