On behalf of the House I welcome Lieutenant Colonel Earnán Naughton, Sergeant Major Seamus Gannon and Sergeant Larry Carthy to the Public Gallery. Thank you for being here, for your advocacy and for your service to the country and to the men and women of the Defence Forces.

I welcome students from rang a sé, Kiltale National School, County Meath, who are here on a school tour. I hope you have a very positive and enriching day here in Leinster House. I thank your teachers for their work and dedication and I propose that you get no homework for the rest of the week so that you can enjoy the sunshine.

I thank Senator Black, and that was well said. Yesterday, Senator Murphy equally had a very eloquent tribute to Christy. We all send our sympathies to the family, and we remember him fondly. Anois, an Seanadóir Pat Casey.

Is the Senator seeking an invitation to parliamentary party meetings?

This is the Order of Business, I will remind the Senator.

Senator Boyhan is speaking, without interruptions, please.

Anois, Senator Fitzpatrick. I am sorry if I got my personnel wrong - my apologies.

I thank the Senator.

That is not relevant to the Order of Business.

I join the Senator in thanking the cleaning and security staff in our hospitals. I had the pleasure of working as a porter when I was going to college, so I know at first hand the work the staff do. I join the Senator in thanking them. The Senator, like many other Senators, has raised the issue of the pandemic unemployment payment. With regard to the living wage, the Senator's party, like other parties, has a member on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. Maybe he could raise the issue with that member so it ca…

We are on the Order of Business.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Shane Cassells - The need for the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the future of exploration mining in Ireland, in particular Tara Mines, Navan, County Meath. Senator Lynn Boylan - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report greenhouse gas emissions by the income and wealth of the emitters. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need …

With great pleasure, I welcome the students from St. Pius X primary school in Terenure. They are part of the student council and on a stepping stone to a political career in some cases. I thank the girls for all their work in the school. They are doing a power of great work. I thank them for their volunteerism. As a token of our appreciation to their teachers, I offer them homework off for the rest of the week. In fairness, the teachers do great work but I know the student council is making a huge difference in the…

There are no interruptions. Senator Murphy, please.

The song Senator Murphy spoke about is one that I always remember because it says “I have fallen down so many times”. I wish to be associated with the Senator’s remarks to the family and to Aslan on the death of Christy Dignam. He was a fabulous musician. To our girls in the Gallery, thank you very much indeed.

Before I call Senator Clonan, I welcome the guests of Senator Craughwell in the Gallery, Denis and Teresa Ryder, from Tuam in County Galway. Denis has been for a long time a trade unionist and active in the labour movement. They are very welcome and I thank them for being here today.

We welcome Noelle as well. Sorry, I did not know she was here. She is very welcome indeed. I thank her for being with us.

Before I call Senator Gavan, I welcome the students from the Navan Educate Together National School, County Meath. The boys and girls are very welcome to Leinster House and we hope they have a very pleasant visit. I thank them for their patience. As a token of our appreciation, I hope they will be given homework off for the rest of the week. Given the fine weather that is upon us and the summer holidays are coming, their teachers also need a break.

As with the Senator, Councillor Paddy Meade got in touch with me this morning and I am sure that, along with other members of the House, our thoughts are with the workers in Tara Mines. The Senator is right that it is the job uncertainty about how long the future lay-offs will be for. I am sure Members will raise the matter. Councillor Meade was in touch with me this morning regarding it. Our thoughts are with the families, staff and workers of Tara Mines.

I thank the Senators and invite the Acting Leader, Senator O'Loughlin, to respond to the Order of Business.