I ask the Senator, for the legalities-----
On prevailing side: this member voted with the winning side in 440 of 443 decisive votes (0 abstentions excluded). Read it as a government-or-opposition indicator rather than a measure of influence — the figure is near 100% for members supporting the government of the day and near 0% for those opposing it.
This is the point of the site: contributions keep the party held on the day, not the one held now.
| Party | Recorded as | Contributions | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CC | Ceann Comhairle / Chair | 2,606 | 2020-07-30 – 2022-12-12 |
| FG | Fine Gael | 405 | 2020-01-21 – 2026-07-08 |
Membership spells on record: FG 1989-10-01–1992-12-17 · FG 2007-07-23–2011-04-25 · FG 2011-02-25–2016-03-09 · FG 2016-03-10–2020-03-29 · FG 2020-03-30–2025-01-29 · FG 2025-01-29–present
I ask the Senator, for the legalities-----
-----to withdraw the word "deliberate".
You should withdraw the allegation and speak generally.
The court will have to make the determination of-----
I thank the Senator. The ultimate determination will be by the courts. I call on the Leader to respond to the Order of Business.
I thank the Leader very much indeed for those individualised and comprehensive responses. We have a school from Bantry in the Gallery. The students and teachers from Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí are all very welcome. It is good to have them here.
The House stands suspended until 3.45 p.m. in accordance with the order of the House of Wednesday, 30 November 2022, to facilitate Senators' attendance at the joint sitting in the Dáil Chamber at 2 p.m.
I welcome our visitors in the Gallery, the pupils and teachers of St. Leo's College in Carlow. I extend a special welcome to the teachers because I know these visits involve going beyond their normal role. It is very important that the students see the Houses of the Oireachtas in action.
The debate will follow the normal pattern. The Minister of State will have ten minutes, group spokespersons will have eight minutes and all other Senators will have five minutes, and the Minister of State will respond at the end of the debate for up to ten minutes. We will go from there. The Minister of State is very welcome to the House and we look forward to hearing from him.
To clarify the running order, the understanding from the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight and so on is that when there is a Green Party Minister, the first speaker is an Independent Senator. We will get everyone in very quickly.
When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
It is my pleasure to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House and, indeed, welcome colleagues back.
When is it proposed to take the next Stage?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?
Is that agreed? Agreed.
I welcome the Minister, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman. The Bill will conclude at 7.30 p.m. if not previously concluded. I call on the Leader to move that the Bill be recommitted in respect of amendment No. 22.
Is that agreed? Agreed. For the information of Members, please note that the House, by agreeing to the motion to recommit, allows a committee-style discussion on amendment No. 22 only, that is, Members may speak more than once on the amendment. In respect of other amendments, I remind Senators that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage, except the proposer of an amendment, who may reply to the discussion on the amendment. Each non-Government amendment must also be seconded. I hope that is helpful. If Member…
Does Senator Black wish to comment?