I move: That the Standing Orders 106 and 107 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business be amended as provided for in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 31st May,2021, entitled ‘Amendments to Standing Orders relating to remote participation in Committee meetings’, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 1st June, 2021

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government on the Bill before the House this evening. Deputy Doherty's Bill from 2014 proposes that a referendum should be held with the aim of removing Article 17.2 from the Constitution. The drafting of legislation for the holding of any constitutional referendum requires detailed consideration of the proposal at issue. Significant analysis should be done on the implications of the constitutional change. There should be consultation with stakeholders …

No, I think I have covered it.

I thank Deputies for their statements on this important issue. The Government is deeply concerned at the intensification of violence in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel in the past two weeks. We welcome the ceasefire of 21 May and I repeat the call of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, for its full and proper implementation, not least to ensure vital humanitarian can reach those in need. We have all looked on with horror at the scenes of destruction, death and fear that have been beamed across our television screens and a…

No.

I move: That notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders that No. 24 a , the financial motion by the Minister for Finance, shall be taken now and the following arrangements shall apply: the proceedings of the motion and any amendments thereto shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to conclusion after 145 minutes by one question, which shall be put from the Chair. Speeches shall be in accordance with the arrangements agreed by the order of the Dáil of 30 July 2020 for 135 minutes, following which a Minister …

The Minister for Finance is on his way.

No.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Rural and Community Development Minister for Health Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Minister …

I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of the Dáil of 16th December, 2020, the sequence in which Leaders shall be called upon to put questions between 19th May, 2021, and 1st July, 2021 pursuant to Standing Order 36( ca ) shall be in accordance with the rota contained in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 17th May, 2021, entitled ‘Rota for Leaders’ Questions pursuant to Standing Order 36’.

I appreciate Deputy Flaherty providing me with the opportunity to respond to this important issue. I am answering on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ryan. The routing of gas pipelines, or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network, are matters for Gas Networks Ireland which is a commercial State-sponsored body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the statutorily independent energy regulator. Gas Networks…

I thank Deputy Flaherty for the opportunity to respond. As I said, the routing of gas pipelines or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network are matters for Gas Networks Ireland and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has no direct statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas network. The Government is committed to a just transition in the midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers…

I thank Deputies Ó Murchú and Andrews for tabling this matter. The death of João Carvalho in 2016 was an extremely tragic event and it is important that we remind ourselves of all four of the coroner's recommendations that followed. It was recommended: that the endorsement of a national governing body for MMA be expedited; that all medical partners be clinical practice guidelines, CPG, providers; that all medical partners engage nationally qualified paramedics; and that, in the short-term, MMA in Ireland adopt the …

I accept the bona fides of both Deputies in wanting to get progress on this issue. Sport Ireland has been engaging continually with the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association since 2016 on the issue. In March 2020, the IMMAA made an application for affiliation to IMAC and Sport Ireland welcomed this application. The development of a formal relationship with IMAC remains the recommended avenue and pathway to advance this. The application was also in line with both the recommendations of the working group and the Sport…

No.

No.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in yesterday's Order of Business, that No. a 9 a , motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions, be taken now without debate.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, Questions for oral answer, following those next set down to the Minister for Social Protection, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Minister for Justice Minister for Health Minister for Children, …

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Environment and Climate Action pursuant to accordance with Standing Orders 95 and 181.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders and until further notice in the 33rd Dail, the schedule for the Dail sitting week, as contained in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dail Reform dated 10th May, 2021, shall be adopted with effect from 11th May, 2021, unless the Dail shall otherwise order or resolve, with the proviso that- a ) on Thursday 13th May, 2021, business pursuant to Standing Order 159(2) shall not be taken and the Dail shall adjourn on the conclusion of topical issue…