I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:Senator Aisling Dolan - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the status of outstanding pandemic special recognition payments to hospital contract cleaners and caterers at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to strengthen seasonal workers' rights, including through the introduction of strict limits on deducti…

I apologise to Senator Dolan for the mishap yesterday. I wish to let her know we on the Seanad side have spoken to the Department of Health and expressed our disappointment at what happened yesterday.

I call on the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business. I congratulate Senator O'Reilly on his elevation to Acting Leader.

The Senator might formally second that, please.

It is important we recognise the tribute that the Senator has paid and that the United Nations is giving posthumously to Private Rooney and his family. I am sure the Acting Leader will respond but I will talk to the Senator privately about that. I thank him. I welcome the students from St. Attracta’s National School in Charlestown, County Mayo. I see they have the "Mayo for Sam" jerseys on. We wish them a happy day in Leinster House and, in keeping with the tradition of cathaoirligh, I will say to their teachers th…

As a Corkman, I hope they will not deprive us of winning an All-Ireland but the country would not begrudge Mayo an All-Ireland at this stage. Senator Gallagher from the province of Ulster might have a different view on that.

The Chair should not intervene but, as somebody who uses Garrettstown beach every summer and in the middle of winter as well, it bemuses me that it has lost its blue flag status for the reasons the Senator outlined. I will not make any policy comment but it beggars belief. That is why I support the Senator on that.

Unfortunately, the Minister has no direct role in that. Senator Currie has put in a Commencement matter-----

Good.

Yes, Garretstown.

Senator O’Reilly without interruption, please.

I thank the Leader for his wonderful reply to the Order of Business. Senator Seery Kearney has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 18 be taken before No. 1". It has been seconded by Senator Dolan. The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Aisling Dolan - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the status of outstanding pandemic special recognition payments to hospital contract cleaners and caterers at Portiuncula Hospital, County Galway. Senator Tim Lombard - The need for the Minister for Education to review the process of assessing applications and the eligibility criteria for the assistive technology grant. Senator Lynn …

I welcome the students from Monkstown national school to the Gallery. They are very welcome and I hope they have a very pleasant visit. In keeping with tradition, I think we should give them homework off today.

Dublin.

They are very welcome to Leinster House. I ask the Leader to outline the business for today.

It will be hard to get you out of here now.

I would be happy to talk to the Senator about that incident in east Belfast and stand in support of the GAA community.