I remind Members that under new procedures approved by the House, the combined speeches of the proposer and seconder should not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators should not exceed six minutes. Before I call Senator Warfield, I welcome to the Public Gallery Mr. Edmund Lynch, Mr. Martin Barnes and Mr. Kieran Rose, who have done an enormous amount of work on this issue. I thank them and welcome them most sincerely. I also welcome members of the Dublin Pride team who are here today. I thank them for being here a…

Before we call the speakers on this matter, I welcome to the Public Gallery the friends of Senator Clonan, his son Darach, who has just finished his exams, together with the final year students of law from UCD and Trinity College Dublin. Their final exam was today and I find it extraordinary they are here in the Houses of the Oireachtas to observe the Members in action. I wish every one of them every success in their exams. We have eminent members of the legal profession in Senators McDowell and Ward and the Minist…

Our guests will be glad to hear that Senator McDowell is on the National University of Ireland panel and will be looking for their vote, whatever about the Trinity College panel. That is a great idea of the Senator's. I wish them all first-class honours.

Senator Ward cannot speak again. Is this a point of order?

That is not a point of order.

No, it is not. It is not a point of order.

No, that is not a point of order. I thank Senator Ward.

That is not a point of order.

Gabhaim buíochas. Does the Minister of State wish to reply?

Amendments Nos. 12 a , 12 b and 12 c are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

If I can interrupt for one second. The Madden family from County Cavan are in the Public Gallery and are about to leave. They were guests of Deputy Flaherty. You are very welcome and I thank you for being here.

I welcome to the Gallery members of the Ógra Fianna Fáil central officer board, who are guests of Senator Malcolm Byrne. They are in Leinster House to discuss the wonderful topic of Seanad reform.

Senator Horkan knows far more than I do about the workings of Ógra Fianna Fáil.

When is it proposed to sit again?

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the following regulations: Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development Regulations) 2023; Planning and Development (Section 181) Regulations 2023; Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. X) Regulations 2023; Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2023; and Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. Y) Regulations 2023.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Erin McGreehan - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review the compensation package to farmers for the cull of livestock as a result of the breakout of foot and mouth disease in Louth in 2001. Senator Vincent P. Martin - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the anticipated approval and the funding of Omaveloxolone, a drug used to treat Friedreich’s ataxia…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, to answer Senator McGreehan’s Commencement matter. I congratulate him and Senator Martin on Kildare's All-Ireland under-20 victory last Sunday.

I am sure Senator McGreehan will be still wearing the red of Louth.

Go raibh maith agat.

I welcome members of the Young Presidents' Organization, YPO, Panama group, who are here today with Audrey Kearney and are guests of Senator Ahearn. I wish them well on their visit to Ireland and to Leinster House, our Parliament. I hope they have a very positive visit to Ireland.