When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Final Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I think at this juncture we will return to the Minister and then put the question.

In accordance with the order of the House today I must now ask the Senator in possession to report progress.

I welcome the students from Maynooth University who have been visiting us and are just leaving. My son is a postgraduate student in the geography department of Maynooth University. I am delighted to meet the visitors. Some of them will know him, I am sure.

Dáil Éireann passed the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021 on 19 October 2022, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Erin McGreehan - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the direct payment rates for sheep compared with suckler beef under the new Common Agricultural Policy. Senators Tim Lombard and Micheál Carrigy - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to finalise the grant and premium rates under the forestry programme 2023 to 2027. Senator Malcolm…

It is my great pleasure to welcome my fellow Ulsterman, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, to the Chamber and to invite Senator McGreehan to raise her matter.

I welcome some of our Senators back from the beautiful hills and lake country of Breifne, where they were attending the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in beautiful County Cavan.

They were so overwhelmed by the beauty of the place that some have not even made it back yet.

We are good to go. I ask the Leader to announce the Order of Business.

I thank Senator Crowe for being such an exemplar of proper timing. I call Senator Buttimer.

I join the Senator, on behalf of all colleagues, in welcoming the students and their teachers from Trim. It is great to have them here in the Houses of democracy. They are very welcome. I hope they enjoy the evening, learn a little and be somewhat impressed by us. We will do our best. On Senator Buttimer's remarks, he speaks for all of us in his affirmation on what is happening to staff and the agreement because everybody in the Chamber values our staff highly. I thank you for raising the issue. I will leave the ot…

I thank Senator Davitt. That was succinct and to the point. Senator Ward is next.

I welcome Mr. Shane Dolphin and his friend to the Gallery. Mr. Dolphin is working in the Houses. A number of the photographs we see while walking the corridors are of ancestors of Mr. Dolphin's, but I will let him elaborate on that informally some time.

I thank Senator Dooley for the specific proposal.

Perhaps we will put it on the summer holiday agenda; it sounds very attractive.

Thank you Senator Burke and without entering the debate, I heard of a case through my own clinics which reflects exactly what you have said. It was a case involving a taxi driver who was not able to pass on the business and it is a very serious matter.