I thank Senator Craughwell for swapping places with Senator Keogan.

We need to get Paddy timekeeping back in the Seanad after the recess.

I ask all Members on all sides of the Chamber to have a reflective look at the clocks in Leinster House in their contributions post Easter. Before I ask the Leader to reply to the Order of Business, on a personal level as Cathaoirleach, I thank the Taoiseach for his courtesy to all of us as Members of Seanad Éireann. I join Senator McDowell in thanking him for his personal commitment to public service as a Minister and Teachta Dála and as Tánaiste and Taoiseach. As we said, he served in extraordinary times that inc…

Senator Erin McGreehan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 11 be taken before No. 1." Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Dáil Éireann has passed the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Agreement on a Unified Patent Court) Bill 2024 on 6 March 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has passed the Research and Innovation Bill 2024 on 6 March 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has passed the Road Traffic Bill 2024 on 6 March 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they wish to raise the following matters. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to make a statement on the commencement date for the national monument on Moore Street. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Finance to ensure that all homeowners have the same rights and protections, including those whose loans are with vulture funds. Senator Tim Lombard - The need for t…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, to the House.

The Acting Leader might include the number, please.

It will be done after the Order of Business.

To clarify for the Senator, in case he thinks it is the case, I did not put that motion on the Order Paper.

I will interrupt the Acting Leader to welcome students from Pope John Paul II National School, Malahide, who are guests of Deputy Alan Farrell. In the spirit of all visits to Leinster House, I offer them a night off homework tonight as a gesture of our appreciation of their civic interest in public life and politics.

Half of them must be in Dublin Central as well.

I thank the Acting Leader. Well done and congratulations. I join with the Acting Leader and other Members who spoke about Saoírse Ruane and her tragic death earlier this week. I want to acknowledge the wonderful inspiration she was to the nation and to all of us. We extend to her family our deepest sympathies. She certainly lit up our lives with her wonderful ability to communicate with all of us. Her life has been so tragically cut short. We send her family our deepest sympathies this morning on their very sad los…

I thank our former colleague and friend, Niall Ó Donnghaile, for his contribution to Seanad Éireann. He was a good colleague and a good friend here in Leinster House and we wish him well in the next chapter of his life.

I wish whoever the candidates may be the best in the by-election.

I remind the Senator to speak through the Chair.

I remind all Members, of whatever political hue or view, that this is the Chamber. They are entitled to come in and speak. Many of them have spoken passionately. I watched the debate on my monitor between different meetings. As we have done it in the past, can we be sensitive to each other and cognisant of the views without interrupting any other speakers or the Minister? The Minister, without interruption, please.

Senator Mullen-----