When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to the House.

Before we commence the next item, I welcome the students from the civic, social and political education, CSPE, class from the Ursuline College, Sligo. They are all very welcome to our proceedings here in Leinster House today. Tá fíorfháilte romhaibh go léir.

We are now dealing with the motion regarding the Independent Review of the Handling of Past Complaints of Abuse in St John Ambulance Service. I inform Members of the House that, as they are aware, under the new procedure approved by the House, the combined speeches of the proposer and seconder of the motion should not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators have six minutes. I wish to inform and remind all Members before the debate begins, having regard to the sensitivity of the issues involved, of the need to be …

I thank Members for their participation in this very important and sensitive debate. The Members and the Minister have done the House a service through their sensitive handling of this very important topic and report. As the Cathaoirleach, independent and impartial, I, like other Members, pay tribute to the survivors who pursued their right to be heard and to have their rights redressed. I thank them for their courageous action and behaviour. I thank Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, with whom I worked when I was Chair of the …

Dáil Éireann passed the Health (Amendment) Bill 2023 on 22 March 2023, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has completed its consideration of the Employment Equality Act 1998 (Section 12) (Reservation of Vocational Training Places) Order 2022.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Vincent P. Martin - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the provision of school bus places for pupils attending school in Maynooth, County Kildare, from the Rathcoffey-Straffan area. Senator Tom Clonan - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the Department of Education 2007 circular that limits eligible students to only spending two years in a special langu…

Before I bring Senator Martin back in I welcome to the Gallery Ms Victoria Danlenska, who is a member of the Ukrainian community and former member of the armed forces. She is a guest of Senator Craughwell and is very welcome. I thank her for being here.

Prior to the commencement of the Order of Business, I wish to welcome to the Public Gallery Councillor Adam Teskey. I also welcome members of the Duleek Women's Forum from County Meath, who are guests of Senator Sharon Keogan. They are very welcome. I now ask the Leader to outline the business for today.

I thank an Treoraí. I also welcome the students from Belvedere College and their teachers who are here today. I hope they have a very enjoyable visit to Leinster House.

I thank the Senator for her contribution. The Ceann Comhairle and I have held a number of meetings with Members of both Houses. A task force is being commissioned and we will feed the Senator's contribution back into that. I am sure the members of the task force, when it is constituted, will do likewise. I thank the Senator.

I welcome Odette and Sam to the House and thank them for their work.

Senator O'Loughlin has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 23 be taken before No. 1." Senator Ardagh has seconded the amendment. The Leader has indicated that she is prepared to accept it. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the staff and students from the Atlantic Technological University Sligo.  They are all very welcome to Leinster House today and I thank them for being here.