Go raibh maith agat féin, a Sheanadóir. Ba mhaith liom na mic léinn agus na múinteoirí atá in éineacht leo a fháiltiú anseo inniu chomh maith.

The speaker, without interruption, please.

I thank the Senator very much for his remarks. As he will know, if he was watching proceedings, we had a minute's silence for David yesterday. He echoes the thoughts and prayers of everybody in the Chamber.

Senator Conway would not want that.

I thank the Senator for so lucidly putting his questions.

I thank the Senator. She caught me off guard due to the brevity of her contribution.

I concur.

I thank the Minister and salute his proactive and humane approach. It is certainly greatly appreciated.

They must have known who it was.

At the outset, I congratulate the Labour Party, and specifically Senator Wall, on the proposed legislation. Senator Wall has a passion for this issue. He is sincere about it and has worked hard on it. He has done the House much service in doing that. Senator Wall has certainly done his party and the country some good in that respect. It is important and I say "well done" to him. I salute genuinely the real commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, on this matter. The Minister of State is consistentl…

Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine go dtí an chéad seisiún tar éis an tsosa. Tá an aimsir galánta taobh amuigh. Leanfaimid ar aghaidh leis an jab atá ar siúl againn. Dáil Éireann passed the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021 on 9 March 2022, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the deposit return scheme. I have also received notice from Senators Maria Byrne and Martin Conway of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. I have also received notice from Sena…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, to the House.

I congratulate the Senator on her enterprising childhood. The equivalent in my area was to gather and sell frogs, which were sold to the European market.

Thank you, Senator McGahon. We all share those sentiments on the great tragedy. I call Senator Dooley.

The Senator mentioned, as he described them, humble relations in various counties. He overlooked his many fine relations in County Cavan, who are my neighbours, and was presuming they were in a different category. I will move on to the next speaker, Senator Warfield, on behalf of Sinn Féin.

I thank Senator Horkan. Sadly, I will be accepting his proposition of a minute's silence. When I say "sadly" it is because it is unfortunate that is what we are doing.

As per party rotation, I call Senator Malcolm Byrne and he will be followed by Senator Burke.

I thank Senator Carrigy. I thought that the Senator had the last word but he has the penultimate word as we are leaving the final word with Senator Conway.

I call the Deputy Leader to respond.