The case has been well thrashed out.

Amendments Nos. 7 and 9 to 13, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Amendments Nos. 10 to 13, inclusive, are physical alternatives to amendment No. 9.

The speaker, without interruption. Thank you.

I do not think so-----

It is certainly not happening on this bench-----

We will leave it at that. Does the Senator wish to speak to the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 8, 15 and 17 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The debate on the Bill is now adjourned in accordance with the order of the Seanad today. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed. I thank everyone for their excellent co-operation.

I have received notice from Senators Fiona O'Loughlin and Mark Wall that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, they propose to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on school place shortages in south County Kildare. I have also received notice from Senator Lynn Ruane of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to ensure that the National Asset Management Agency is fulfilling its mandate to contribute to both the economic and soci…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, and call Senator O'Loughlin.

Is cúis áthais agus bróid dom mo bhuíochas agus buíochas mo chomhghleacaithe a ghabháil leis an Taoiseach inniu. Táimid fíorbhuíoch de as ucht a bheith linn agus as a ráiteas cuimsitheach dearfach. Chuir sé dúshlán agus fís os ár gcomhair. Bíodh sé cinnte go mbeidh ár dtacaíocht agus ár n-iarrachtaí aige chun na haidhmeanna sin a bhaint amach. It is my pleasure and privilege to thank the Taoiseach for being with us today, and for the visionary, challenging and comprehensive presentation he laid before us. In his fi…

I welcome the Minister and salute and thank him for his painstaking and very competent work on the question of Brexit - first, in winning the support of our European partners for the Irish position and its solidarity right through the process and, second, in dealing with the minutiae throughout the protocol. The Minister will observe today that this entire House is mandating him, supporting him or echoing the call to him to continue to work steadfastly to make the protocol work and to arrive at consensus there, whi…

The protocol is an international agreement and that must be the starting point. It was negotiated between the EU and the UK. It is not something we negotiated, but an international treaty between the EU and the UK. It must be seen as such. As Senator Ó Donnghaile said, it stands alongside the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in that regard. They are inter-changeable and connected. What is interesting, and the Minister and colleagues in the House are very aware of this, is that some of the political people in N…

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, an alumnus of the Seanad. We are delighted to welcome him back as a star alumnus. It is good to have him back.

I call Senator Moynihan.

I am sorry, Senator, but in the interests of fairness and rotation, and if colleagues will co-operate, I will call Senator Murphy after Senator Moynihan has spoken.

Colleagues are reasonable about these matters.

I thank Senator Moynihan. I also thank our colleagues, Senators Warfield and Black, for co-operating as I revert to the list. I call Senator Murphy now. My wife is from Roscommon, and she would be very upset if I did not call the Senator early on.

I thank the Minister, not least for recognising the quality of the contributions, with specific answers to questions raised.