No, you cannot. You are out of time. I have indulged you long enough and given you plenty of time. I call Senator Craughwell.

I thank Senator Dee Ryan for taking the Chair to facilitate me contributing. Obviously, I welcome the Bill. As I was sitting in the Chair, I was thinking that if this was 70 or 80 years ago, we would just have been thinking about newspapers. It shows how we have evolved as a society when defamation covers so many aspects of our lives now. I am not quite sure whether this is a good or a bad thing. I will address a few of the points made, one of which concerns the juries. As a former press man, I would obviously welc…

Before the Minister contributes, the Senator did withdraw them when I was in the Chair. That is for clarity. That is also on the record of the House.

For clarity, the Senator can check the record. She did say she was withdrawing the comment.

Caithfidh mé iarraidh ar Seanadóir Tully mo leithscéal a ghabháil. I should have brought you in as the last speaker. My apologies.

Before the next speaker, cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí agus múinteoirí ó Choláiste Muire Tuar Mhic Éadaigh i gContae Mhaigh Eo atá in éineacht leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Alan Dillon. I welcome the students and teachers from Tourmakeady in the Gaeltacht region in County Mayo. I will go to Senator Blaney. He can blind them with Gaeilge.

Cuirim fáilte roimh na daltaí ó Choláiste Mhuire, Rathmines. I welcome the pupils from Coláiste Mhuire, Rathmines. I hope they have an enjoyable visit.

I concur and welcome the pupils from St Peter's. I am sure they were enthralled by that riveting discussion on pensions, but it is very important and, in 40 years’ time, they will reflect on it and say we made very wise decisions here. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, my constituency colleague, to the Chamber and wish him well in his role. I know he is very passionate about this sector, and he is determined to get this legislation finalised as soon as possible. This is a very important Bill for many re…

I welcome Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan. He has been a long-time advocate for and champion of the disability sector, which has been a great pillar of his political life to date. I have great expectations that he is going to do well in his role. It would be remiss of me, but not because she is sitting in front of me, not to acknowledge the huge work that former Deputy and now Senator Anne Rabbitte did during her time as Minister of State in this area, often against fierce resistance within her Department and th…

Senators Cathal Byrne and Mike Kennelly are sharing time.

For our penultimate contribution, we will go to Cavan for the roads report from Senator O’Reilly.

If the Minister of State can indulge me, he might address one point for me as he makes his contribution. It relates to the major capital funding for TII for national development plan projects. We normally have sight of it by this stage of the year. The funding is for a number of projects nationwide. Foremost among them, I suppose, is the upgrade of the N4 from Mullingar to Roosky, a very important project for County Longford, Westmeath and, indeed, Leitrim. As referred to by several speakers, there was an horrific …

I thank the Minister of State. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Buttimer, agus guím gach rath air ina phost nua. Tá áthas mór orm a bheith in ann ár dteanga náisiúnta a úsáid i bhfoirgnimh an Rialtais. Cosúil leis na cainteoirí go léir, bhí tionchar ag mo thaithí Gaeilge ar scoil d’fhonn iarrachtaí bheirt múinteoir iontach, Pádraig Ó Flannagáin agus Tomás Mac Aonghusa i Scoil Naomh Mel i gContae Longford. De réir mar a théim in aois agus go bhfeicim cé mhéid comhghleacaithe a úsáideann an teanga gan stró, tá rún agam iarracht níos f…

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber, congratulate him on his appointment and thank him for his generous assistance and support throughout his previous Ministry. I have no doubt he will make a great impact in his new role and I wish him well in that. With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner it is timely and proper that we celebrate and acknowledge our unique place on the world stage. We remember the many people who make up our diaspora, but also the handful of people working in our embassies and cons…

I appreciate the Cathaoirleach letting me in, particularly as we are over time. I commend the Minister on her appointment. She will do outstanding work. I was delighted to see her appointed. She will bring a lot of energy to the job but, more importantly, as we see today, she brings an important dimension to a challenging office. It was inspiring to hear so many heartfelt and personal contributions from many colleagues. Sometimes, as public representatives, we can feel powerless when people come to us. In one such …

I also asked about long-term illness.

You are over time, Senator.

Senator Kelleher is eating into the remaining time of his colleagues.