I remind Members that on matters that Senator Dooley has raised, there is a need to be careful. There is a process under way by the Houses of the Oireachtas and it is incumbent upon all of us not to prejudge the outcome or what happened before, after or during. I want to protect all of us in that regard. There is a process and there are Members of the House on various bodies, including the Commission, where it can be raised. I ask Members to be careful and conscious of that.

I remind everybody that there is a process and we should be conscious of it.

I welcome Senator Clonan's guests, Ben Guerin from Blackrock, County Dublin, and Louis-Marie Windeck from Provence. I thank them for being here and hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House.

Before calling the Leader to reply to the Order of Business, I welcome the sister, niece and friends of our friend and colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to Leinster House.

I thank the Leader. I welcome the guests of Deputy Kehoe: the Lacey family from Breen, Enniscorthy - Liam, Ita, Liam Jnr., Eva and Chloe. I thank them for being here and hope they will enjoy their visit. I welcome the guests of Senator Craughwell, who have come from the United States of America. I thank them for being here. Senator Craughwell has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That proceedings on the Report and Final Stages of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 be brought to a conclusion at 5.45 p.…

Senator Vincent P. Martin has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business and it was seconded by Senator Joe O'Reilly. The Leader has indicated that she is prepared to accept the amendment.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Dáil Éireann has agreed, on 3 July 2024, to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024. Dáil Éireann has passed the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2024, on 3 July 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notification from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Health to include medical personnel affected by long Covid-19 in the special leave with pay scheme and to ensure that all cases are medically assessed to ascertain eligibility. Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline Government policy on the need for the construction of data centres and…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth. Is é an chéad cainteoir anois ná an Seanadóir Robbie Gallagher. Tá ceithre nóiméad aige.

Tá nóiméad amháin ag an Seanadóir Malcolm Byrne.

Before I call the Leader, I have to inform the House that a letter dated 27 June 2024 has been received from the Secretary to the Government regarding (1) the resignation of a member of the Government; (2) the appointment of a member of the Government; (3) the assignment of the Department of Finance to a Minister; and (4) the appointment of a Minister of State. The letter will be recorded in the Journal of the House.

Go raibh maith agat, a Sheanadóir.

I gave the Senator a good amount of time.

I thank the Leader. I welcome the guests of Deputy O'Dowd, led by the colleague and friend of many of us here Deaglán de Bréadún. The members of the tour group are travelling throughout the country, visiting different institutions. They are very welcome and I hope they will have a very positive and engaging visit to Leinster House. Céad míle fáilte roimh go léir.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on plans to designate the Curragh Plains as a national heritage area. Senator Barry Ward - An gá atá ann go ndéanfaidh an tAire Oideachais, an Teachta Norma Foley, ráiteas maidir le Gaelcholáiste a sholáthar i gCoill na Silíní. Senator Micheál Carrigy - The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, A…

I welcome Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Mary Butler, and thank her for being here. Is é an chéad cainteoir anois ná an Seanadóir Fiona O'Loughlin. Tá ceithre nóiméad aici. Gabhaim buíochas léi.

Before asking the Leader to outline today's Order of Business, I welcome to the Public Gallery Mr. Brian Karlisch and his wife, Lisa, who are visiting from the United States of America. They are very welcome. I believe it is their first visit to Ireland. I thank them for being here and hope they enjoy the rest of their stay. Glaoim ar an Treoraí chun an tOrd Gnó a fhoilsiú.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Treoraí. Glaoim ar an Seanadóir Fiona O'Loughlin.