There was no debate.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, and his guests to the House and thank him for being here.

Sorry. The Minister of State is to reply and Senator Fitzpatrick is summing up. I ask Senator Byrne to keep within three minutes.

I call the Minister of State. I ask him to conclude at 6.25 p.m. to allow Senator Fitzpatrick reply to the debate.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Marie Sherlock - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the exclusion of certain homes built prior to 1940 from home energy improvement grants. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the unexpected closure of the immigrant investor programme and its implications for the applications on hand at the time …

Before I call Senator Sherlock, I welcome the students who are with us in the Public Gallery. They are very welcome to Leinster House and I hope they have a very good visit. I am not quite sure what school they are from but we will get the name in a minute. It is great to see them here. This is the Seanad, the Upper House. Senator Sherlock is now going to raise a matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, regarding houses and home energy improvement grants, which are very important, as the students wil…

I welcome our friend and former Senator, now Deputy Ged Nash, to the Public Gallery with his friends and visitors from Drogheda, County Louth. I hope they will not be smiling on Saturday when they play Cork, but I welcome them to Leinster House today and hope they have a very pleasant visit. Tá fáilte rompu go léir. I call Senator Paul Daly.

I thank Senator Boyhan for sharing that. We woke up this morning to the wonderful news that Billy Alexander had been awarded that high and prestigious honour. As Cathaoirleach, I join with the Senator in sending congratulations to Mr. Alexander on that great honour. It was great to hear of it on the radio this morning. I am sure we all join with Senator Boyhan in acknowledging the significance of this award. I again thank the Senator for his contribution. All of us who know and love Kells Bay will hold it in even m…

I remind the Senator that the Bill will be debated later on and tomorrow, according to the schedule of the House.

Before I ask the House to approve or disapprove of the Order of Business, I ask Members to join in congratulating Michelle O'Neill, the soccer referee, on her appointment for the forthcoming FIFA Women's World Cup, and I wish her well. Is the Order of Business approved?

We are not having a debate, as the Senator knows.

That is not a point. That has no relevance-----

Senator McDowell is straying into the bounds of-----

Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine. Thar cheann Sheanad Éireann, is mór agam fáilte ó chroí a chur roimh an iar-Thaoiseach, Parthalán Ó hEachthairn. Cuirim fáilte roimhe ar ais go dtí an Teach seo. On behalf of Seanad Éireann, it gives me great pleasure to extend a céad míle fáilte to our former Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, or rather to welcome him back. Níl aon ghá a insint don Teach cé hé an tUasal Ó hEachthairn. Tá a phortráid á taispeáint in aice láimhe i nGailearaí na dTaoiseach. Is é an tUasal Ó hEachthairn an Ta…

Mr. Ahern is right. This Upper House of the Oireachtas is the most appropriate forum and venue in which to have his address and put everything together. I welcome to the Gallery Ms Sandra Cullagh, who helped to prepare for today. I thank her for her advice and the many phone calls. I also thank Mr. John Grange. I welcome Mr. Joe English, Ms Brenda English, Mr. Mark Simpson, Ms Jessica Kelly, Mr. Conor Muldoon, Mr. Cian Bambrick and Mr. Patrick Hynes, as well as our great friend and former Seanad Leader or Iar-Chean…

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I acknowledge the presence in the Gallery of Deputy Cormac Devlin from Dublin Rathdown. He is very welcome to the House today.

Is that three minutes each?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Tá an t-am caite.