On St. Brigid's Day and the first day of spring, I call on the Leader to outline the business for the day.

On the feast of St. Brigid, the patron saint of Kildare, I now call on Senator O'Loughlin.

I formally welcome our special guests and thank them most sincerely for their co-operation and for working with us and with Senator O'Loughlin. Enjoy your day.

That is a given.

Well done to you on your advocacy, Senator, and congratulations.

I remind the Senator that the House is not sitting next Tuesday, unfortunately.

I thank Senator Craughwell. I want to join with him in wishing Antoinette Cunningham every success in the next chapter of her life. She was a very strong advocate for members of An Garda Síochána, and those of us who met her and engaged with her always found her to be a person of conviction and also a person of huge courtesy. As Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, I wish her well.

I also welcome the students on this first day of spring - St. Brigid's Day.

I encourage Members to be back for 12 o'clock for the pause for peace.

Dáil Éireann passed the Employment Permits Bill 2022 on 31 January 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has passed the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023, which is changed from the Social Welfare (Liable Relatives and Child Maintenance) Bill 2023, on 31 January 2024, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has agreed on 31 January 2024 to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bi…

I remind Senators that at noon today we will pause for peace. There will be a minute's silence for the marking of St. Brigid's Day. The Minister of State has ten minutes, group spokespersons have ten minutes, and the Minister of State will be called to reply at no later than 1.05 p.m., with no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate. The Minister of State is very welcome.

I welcome that the European Union this morning agreed €50 billion in additional aid for Ukraine. We welcome that. I remind Members that at 12 noon we will pause for peace. I call Senator Doherty. I will interrupt at 12 noon if that is okay.

We will now stand to join many parliaments around Europe in pausing for peace and to mark St. Brigid's Day. Today, 1 February, marks the 1,500th anniversary of the passing of our matron saint, St. Brigid. She was a peacemaker strongly associated with hope and reconciliation. We need that in our world today as never before. We will stand for a minute's pause for peace along with many parliamentarians across the European Union, showing solidarity with those whose lives have been ravaged by war. We will help to awaken…

I thank the Minister of State. As he is Minister of State with responsibility for sport, I am sure he will join with me in wishing Charlie O'Leary, who played a pivotal role in Irish sport, a happy 100th birthday today. I know it is not related to the Bill, but as we are marking St. Brigid's Day, we should mark Charlie O'Leary's birthday as well.

I thank the Minister of State. That was well said. We all join in wishing Charlie O'Leary a happy 100th birthday. As the Minister of State said, he has given huge service to football. He is the epitome of what we should all aspire to, which is to live life healthily and give back to others. We wish him a very happy birthday.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senators Eugene Murphy and Aisling Dolan - The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the proposed closure of Roscommon town post office. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the timeline for the implementation of the recently announced fares determination by the National Transport Authority. Senator Tom Clonan…

The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, is very welcome. Senators Murphy and Dolan are sharing time.