As it is now 9.30 p.m., I am obliged to put the following question in accordance with the Order of the Seanad of this day: "That recommendation 18 is hereby negatived in Committee; section 57 is hereby agreed to in Committee; Government recommendations undisposed of are hereby made to the Bill; in respect of each of the sections undisposed of, the section or, as appropriate, the section with recommendations, is hereby agreed to in Committee; the Schedule is hereby agreed to in Committee; the Title is hereby agreed …

Will the Senators claiming a division please rise.

As fewer than five Senators have risen, I declare the question carried. In accordance with Standing Order 61, the names of the Senators dissenting will be recorded in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Seanad.

When is it proposed to sit again?

I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, to the House.

Recommendations Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement.

Senator Craughwell spoke earlier but he wants to make a minor intervention. There will be an opportunity to speak after the Minister has spoken if Members disagree with him.

That is an extremely noble sentiment, and it is the way to do business on this issue.

The next speaker is Senator Keogan, who happens to be a cousin of the excellent woman who works in my office in Cavan. I have to allow total latitude.

It is not normal for the Chair to intervene, and I will not do so beyond saying that I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed here today. They reflect my experience of the wonderful, professional staff who work with me here in Leinster House and in Cavan. They work across a range of areas at a range of hours of the day, and it would be unreasonable if this did not receive concrete acknowledgement. I am doing an exceptional thing in making this remark from the Chair, because it is not normal, but it is in orde…

I thank the Minister for that comprehensive response. I ask Members to bear in mind that we finish shortly. We have had brilliant speeches so there is no need for a repetition of them. I call Senator Higgins, who proposed the recommendations.

Is Senator Higgins pressing recommendation No. 1?

When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

It is very good news that the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, has signed off on 480,000 primary school children between the ages of five and 11 being vaccinated. This is extremely important because the key to this lies in vaccination. While most of these children would not become seriously ill, the problem with them getting Covid is that they bring it home and bring it to vulnerable adults and older relations. In some instances, they themselves would be vulnerable and in danger and of course, this a…

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and acknowledge that his presence is an indication of how seriously he is taking this issue. I congratulate my colleagues in the Green Party for bringing forward the motion. It is a worthy motion and a worthy debate that we should have. The Antarctic Treaty System effectively allows for peaceful co-operation between countries. It provides that no specific country precisely owns the Antarctic. Countries have stations there, are involved in research there, such as nuclear testi…

At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Fáilte romhaibh a chomhghleacaithe tar éis an lóin. Is cúis áthais dom fáilte a chur roimh an Tánaiste chuig an Seanad. Tréaslaím leis as an gceannaireacht agus as an tiomantas a thugann sé ina Roinn agus sa Rialtas ina iomláine. Táim buíoch go bhfuil sé féin i láthair chun éisteacht le tuairimí na Seanadóirí. The Tánaiste is very welcome to the Chamber. We salute his leadership and commitment within his Department and the Government. I am personally delighted, as are our colleagues, that he is here to listen to th…