That concludes the speakers on questions. Before I call the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and Feighan, to respond, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, wanted an opportunity to speak. There is some spare time if he wants to do so now.

I would appreciate if the record could show that I echo all of the sentiments that have been expressed by the speakers who immediately preceded me. I made a contribution in the Dáil last October or November when this subject was last raised and rather than just repeat it, I state that it was a very fair reflection of my sentiments, sympathy and support for the survivors of the mother and baby homes in the context of what we were talking about then. Generally in society there is a lot of anger and frustration in Jan…

Is the Bill opposed?

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

An tAire has 40 seconds, which I will hold her to, if she wants to respond to some of that.

I will stop the Minister there.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin ran out of time and I cannot be unfair to other Deputies who will come in later. If Members want answers to their questions, they will have to leave the Minister sufficient time to respond. I call the Minister of State.

I will use my time for very specific questions. When will a decision be made on the leaving certificate?

Is it possible to give us a date?

I will not take up a huge amount of time. I made a long contribution to our parliamentary party meeting last night and the Minister is aware of the issues. The key issue is certainty and a decision around deadlines for the practicals and oral exams, for example. I have to come back around to it and ask if there is any general window of opportunity for students listening to this regarding certainty on when they might know for sure about this? This applies to junior certificate students as well.

I thank the Minister.

I wish the Ceann Comhairle and his staff a belated happy new year. I welcome the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins. In July 2019 I attended a speech delivered by the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, who was then leader of the Opposition, in Dublin to the heads of universities and colleges in Ireland. He reflected on the theme of innovation and research in education in Ireland and its political roots in the ascent of Seán Lemass to the position of Taoiseach. During that morning he outlined his visi…

To be helpful, I can email the Ceann Comhairle the list.

I offer condolences to my colleague on the passing of his grandmother and to those other families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 in the last number of months. I wish the Minister well in the arduous work he has ahead and extend that wish to his officials and to the members of the vaccination task force and NPHET, who have done sterling work and who I am sure must be at the point of exhaustion at this stage. I must still convey to the Minister the questions that are on the minds of my constituents and of peopl…

Deputy Murnane O'Connor has a brief supplementary question.

Deputy Ó Murchú wishes to ask a supplementary question.

The Select Committee on Justice has completed its consideration of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 and has made amendments thereto.

Deputy Naughten is welcome; he has made his voice heard.

In fairness, the Minister did not run. She had to leave.

Deputy, please-----