When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before we put the amendment, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery a very good Corkman, Adam McCarthy, who is an economist by profession. He is a good Corkman from the wonderful part of Cork called Ballinora. He is joined by our friend, Barry Cassidy. They are very welcome to Leinster House and I thank them for being here.

When is it proposed to sit again?

When is it proposed to sit again?

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Gerry Horkan - The need for the Minister for Health to include the shingles vaccination in the national immunisation programme and to outline the estimated funding required to do this on an annual basis. Senator Seán Kyne - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the progress of plans for the emergency department buildings, new laboratories and cancer care centre at University Hospital Ga…

Before asking the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the students from fifth class and sixth class in Booterstown National School, who are guests of Senator Barry Ward and who is doing them proud. In keeping with the tradition for students visiting Leinster House, I ask the teachers that the students be given no homework tonight. If the students have no homework tonight, it would be a celebration of their visit to Leinster House, if that is okay with the teachers.

Senator Boyhan is adding Friday. That amendment is also agreed. Unfortunately, I cannot give Members of the Seanad homework off.

Yes. They do not do any anyway.

I welcome to the Gallery to celebrate the Bulgarian National Day on Sunday, the Bulgarian ambassador, H.E. Vanya Andreeva-Malakova. The ambassador is very welcome agus cuirim céad fáilte roimpi. Today, we acknowledge and celebrate the Bulgarian people and thank them for their friendship. As Members will know, Bulgarian National Day takes place on Sunday, 3 March, which is called Liberation Day. Ambassador Andreeva-Malakova is new to Dublin and is making a very positive impression so far. I thank her for being here.…

Before I call on Senator Boyhan, I welcome to the Public Gallery the brother of our colleague, Senator McGreehan, Matthew McGreehan, who is joined by expert social farmers, Jimmy Hanlon, Peter Paul McShane and Gerry O’Callaghan, who are all from County Louth. We will not mention that Louth beat Cork a few weeks ago. They are very welcome. I thank them for being here this afternoon. I hope they have a pleasant visit and that Senator McGreehan will take them to lunch or at least for a pint in the bar. Céad míle fáilt…

I thank the Senator for his visibility in sport. He is not a bad goalkeeper, in fairness, or so his manager tells me.

In fairness to the Senator, he has been raising the issue for a long time. I welcome the students from Our Lady of Mercy school in Waterford to the Seanad for the Order of Business. I am not sure whether they are in transition year, third year, fifth year or sixth year or doing work experience, but they are very welcome. I thank them for being here. I hope they get homework off tonight from a myriad of teachers in all their subjects. I wish them good luck in their exams if they are doing exams this year. I thank th…

Senator Craughwell has made his point.

I welcome the guests of Deputy Noel Grealish, namely, Simon, Kyle and Kim, to the Public Gallery. They are visiting from London and are very welcome. They are in bad company, but I am sure they know that already. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. I thank them for being here.

I am sure Senators will all want to be associated with the remarks about John Crown, who is an extraordinary and pre-eminent person in the field of cancer research. I thank the Senator for bringing that matter to our attention. Professor Crown was a very valuable member of the Oireachtas health committee when he served here. I know he found being here frustrating. Senator Daly mentioned the legislation. We should also remember former Senator Jillian van Turnhout, who was involved with that legislation as well, and,…

I concur with the Senator's remarks and thank him for raising that very important issue in what is an Olympic year.

Before I move to the amendment of the Order of Business, I extend a céad míle fáilte on my own behalf and on behalf of gach duine agus gach ball den Teach in welcoming a parliamentary delegation from Slovakia who have joined us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. The delegation is led by H.E. Mr. Peter Pellegrini, the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. He is very welcome to our Gallery this afternoon. I thank him for being here and I look forward to him developing and continuing the friendsh…

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 9 be taken before No. 1", which was seconded Senator Ruane. The Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept this amendment. Is the amendment agreed to? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?