Amendments Nos. 29 and 30 are related and may be discussed together.

I join Senators Byrne and Lombard in asking that consideration be given to re-establish the Brexit committee. In speaking about something dear to the Cathaoirleach's heart, Senator Lombard spoke about the need to have some connection between the Seanad and local government. It is our last week in session but it is important that the Government, in conjunction with the acting Chief Medical Officer and the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, reconsider the capacity concerns around people attending local cha…

Senator Keogan missed her slot. I will give her the eight minutes to which she is entitled and then call on Senator Dooley.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. This is very important legislation. It is also important to note some of the remarks made by Senators Keogan and Carrigy - I will echo them - on the help to-buy-scheme and the concerns being expressed to the effect that second-hand houses or older houses are not included in the scheme. People who want to buy are coming to us and, as Senator Carrigy stated, there are no new houses available for them in particular places. The one thing that we can accept with certain…

The Minister of State is doing well.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Recommendations Nos. 1 and 2 in the name of Senator Paul Gavan have been ruled out of order.

Recommendation No. 4 in the name of Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has been ruled out of order.

I apologise for interrupting Senator Gavan. In accordance with the order of the House today, the sitting must be suspended at this time. The debate on the Bill will resume at 5.15 p.m.

I join Senator Dooley in seeking a debate on the aviation sector. We have all received emails from Aer Lingus pilots. The airline is in a precarious position and this must be addressed by us, as Members of the Upper House, and by the Government. Yesterday, Mr. Ray Gray, the chief financial officer of the Dublin Airport Authority, was before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response. He spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on regional airports, especially Cork Airport, which is the second-busiest airport in the count…

The Senator cannot be in Government and Opposition at the same time.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister and congratulate her. I thank the former Minister, Senator Doherty, and welcome the extension of the pandemic unemployment payment to April. It is a matter of social solidarity. The employment wage subsidy scheme allows for businesses to open or to remain open, but it is also about keeping jobs through the winter. Everything we do should be to protect people and to create, sustain and protect employment. That is what Government is about. The Government and local authorities should look after …

His political party hawked itself around the country recruiting members rather than showing social solidarity with the people.

It is important that we work together collaboratively. Your party took a very Punch and Judy approach to going into government. The truth is that you really do not want to be in government at all because you cannot make decisions.

I understand that.

Sure.

Let us get real in here. The Sinn Féin Party-----

-----speaks in here but does not want to be in government. It prefers to give out on social media and throughout the country. That is its modus operandi . This Government is working to protect people in social solidarity with employers and employees. That is what this Bill is about. I welcome the measure regarding the cycle to work scheme. We in Government must reimagine how people travel to work. I refer in particular to the e-bike scheme. As a tax incentive, it is about encouraging people. I have written to the M…