To clarify, as the Senator will know, operational matters are not a matter for any Minister. It is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who allocates resources, including Garda personnel. That is the reason the Commencement matter was ruled out of order.

We are joined by our parliamentary colleagues from Estonia. Before I call on Senator O'Hara, I welcome the members of the Estonia-Ireland parliamentary friendship group, led by Ms Maris Lauri and the ambassador, H.E. Ms Kairi Künka, who are here this morning. They are very welcome. I thank them for being in Leinster House. We wish them a successful visit. I thank the ambassador for her excellent work on behalf of her country in this country. She is a good friend of Ireland. We, as parliamentarians, all work closely…

I am sorry; the rules are the rules.

Can I interrupt the Leader for just a second if she does not mind?

I welcome to our Distinguished Visitors Gallery the honourable Mr. Edwin Poots, MLA, who, as Members know, is the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. He is very welcome to Leinster House. I thank him for being here. We look forward to working closely with him in his new role. There will always be a welcome for him here in Leinster House. We look forward to working with him and his colleagues in the Assembly. We extend our congratulations to the First Minister and deputy First Minister and in particular, his p…

I welcome Senator Conway's wife, Breege, to the Gallery. She is joined by her aunt Betty and cousin Sophia, who are visiting from Australia. They are very welcome. I thank them for being here today and hope they enjoy their visit.

I remind Members that the combined opening speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators have six minutes. I will call on Senators Seery Kearney and Dolan in a moment, and then there will follow the normal pattern where each Senator has six minutes. The Minister has indicated that she wishes to come in early in the debate and she has 15 minutes. I welcome the distinguished ladies of Ballina and Westport in County Mayo to the Public Gallery. They are guests of the Minister …

There is almost an hour left in this debate. We have a minimum of seven speakers so, at this juncture, it appears every Member will get in. I would not panic about sharing time just yet. Is é an Seanadóir Carrigy an chéad chainteoir eile.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Joe O'Reilly - The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to make a statement on the measures being considered to enhance recruitment and retention in the Reserve Defence Force without incurring additional expenditure. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on proposals to increase core funding for early childhoo…

The Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, is welcome to the House.

Before I call on Senator O'Reilly to reply, I formally welcome Congressman Eric Swalwell who is a member of the 14th or 15th, I cannot remember, District in California. I know that there has been a bit of re-districting in his area. Congressman Swalwell is very welcome. I met him in Dublin, California, which is twinned with Bray in Wicklow and he is a very good friend of Ireland. He is here with the Leas-Chathaoirleach and he is co-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. The Congressman is very welco…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir.

I thank the Senator. Gabhaim buíochas lei.

Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an Seanadóir. I call an Seanadóir Carrigy.

I welcome Felim Dunne, a guest of Senator Clonan, to the Gallery. I wish him céad míle fáilte.

Senator, I ask you to tread carefully with your remarks and what you are inferring. You are making a direct allegation. Bí an-chúramach, le do thoil.

I will not, but-----

Sula nglaoim ar an gcéad chainteoir eile, cuirim céad míle fáilte roimh bhean chéile an Seanadóir Lombard, Catherine. I welcome Senator Lombard's wife, Catherine, to the Public Gallery. I thank her for her perseverance in marriage but also in looking after Senator Lombard. She deserves a bed in heaven.

I thank the Senator very much. That was well said. I genuinely welcome Senator Lombard’s good wife, Catherine, to the Public Gallery. I thank her for all the work she does with the Senator and others. Céad míle fáilte.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the lack of crèche places in Galway and the supports available to encourage providers to establish new facilities. Senator Annie Hoey - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on transgender healthcare in Ireland and the need to move to an informed-consent model for gender-a…