I am giving the Senator a further minute as a courtesy.

In Senator Gavan's gracious remarks, he mentioned Bruce Springsteen. It occurs to me to say that, as politicians, we are all born to run. I call Senator Sherlock.

I call Senator Ward, who has five minutes.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed. In accordance with the order of the Seanad of 18 September, the House stands suspended until 2.30 p.m.

I call Senator Lombard. He has ten minutes.

The ruling is ten.

It has been agreed.

I thank the Senator. We are long over time.

I thank the Senator for his co-operation as there are so many Senators offering to contribute.

I join in the warm welcome to the Minister of State. We take pride in her appointment in this House. It re-establishes an old precedent and should be a source of encouragement to some of our younger Senators that they might emulate this in the future. If I am right, the precedent goes back to Senator Dooge. I am not sure who was the last. I welcome the legislation. There are all sorts of extraneous points we would all like to make but if I read it correctly, the legislation is effectively tidying up the appeals pro…

At the outset I welcome my colleague and friend, the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy. I congratulate him on his elevation and wish him well in the Ministry. I know from his radio interviews that he has a very high level of competence, which, no doubt, will reflect itself in this Department also. One of the great problems in recent months has been that the entire Brexit debate has been overshadowed by the Covid pandemic, which has taken the Brexit issue away from the media. All focus has been on Covid as the source…

Is cúis áthais dom a bheith tofa inniu mar Leas-Chathaoirleach. Tá a fhios agam go dtagann freagracht thromchúiseach leis an onóir a chuir sibh orm. Tá sé de dhualgas orm mo dhualgas a chomhlíonadh go cóir agus go huile. Bí cinnte go ndéanfaidh mé mo fíor-dhícheall jab den chéad scoth a dhéanamh. Oibreoidh mé leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an bhfoireann riaracháin ar bhealach comhoibritheach. Táim ag tnúth le bheith ag obair go dlúth agus go measúil le gach Seanadóir. A Chathaoirligh and fellow Senators, if I mig…

Amendments Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, are related. Amendments Nos. 3 and 4 are logical alternatives to amendment No. 2. Amendments Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, may be discussed together.

Given that amendments Nos. 2 and 4 are grouped, does Senator Higgins wish to speak to amendments Nos. 3 and 4?

Senator McDowell has indicated, followed by Senator Ward.

I invite the Minister of State to respond but before I do so I want to congratulate him on his appointment. This is my first occasion to do that and I wish him good fortune.

At the outset I wish all colleagues, the public service personnel here and all the staff of our House a very nice holiday, hopefully in Ireland. We have to show leadership in that area so I wish everybody well in that respect. I want to unpatronisingly and genuinely salute the integrity and courage of Senator McGreehan - I hope I am pronouncing her name correctly - for the testimony she gave to the House today. That kind of courage merits a positive response from the Leader. I turn now to a theme I raised previousl…

I call on the Deputy Leader to propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

Is that agreed? Agreed.