I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between t…

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for the Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for an agreement between t…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re appointment of member to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, the Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. and to conclude at 5 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, time may be shared, all other Senators not to e…

I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business today. The first Member to speak was Senator Dooley, who spoke on the ongoing situation in Gaza and the proposed attack and ground offensive by Israel at the Rafah crossing. Senators Tom Clonan and Rebecca Moynihan also raised the same issue. I think we all agree that what is happening is absolutely abhorrent. I also welcome the Tánaiste’s remarks, as did Senator Dooley, which were significant. He clearly stated that if what is proposed is carried out by …

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 98 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Senator Paul Gavan be appointed to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.

I welcome Ronan, Mary Rose and Síle all the way from Kenmare. I hope they have a great time in Leinster House and enjoy their work experience. The Order of Business is No. 1, Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023 [Dáil] - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 12.15 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after one hour by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in r…

I thank all Members who contributed and welcome the students to the Gallery. I hope they have found their time here to be of interest. First this morning was Senator Fitzpatrick who raised the ongoing conflict between Israel and the people of Gaza. We are all in agreement with her remarks that what is happening there is abhorrent. It is deeply disappointing, to put it mildly, that Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have refused to agree to a ceasefire. There was great hope that potential agreement for a cessatio…

Now.

Now.

I thank the Cathaoirleach. The Order of Business is No. 1, Digital Services Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2.45 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, and time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children …

As the Cathaoirleach has dealt with the question of Commencement matters, I do not propose to. It is not a matter for the Leader of the House but one for the Cathaoirleach's office. I thank all Members for their contributions on the Order of Business today. First up was Senator O'Loughlin. She spoke first about the survey released this morning that said Castlebar was the best town in Ireland for work-life balance and quality of life, which I was obviously delighted to see. We will take the good news when it comes. …

She called it out. Senator Kyne welcomed the double payment for pensioners, lone parents and people accessing disability payments that is coming through this month. This is in line with the cost-of-living measures introduced by the Government in the last budget to support people with continuing cost-of-living pressures. As I said, Senator McDowell spoke about the Northern Ireland institutions and the need to acknowledge that any suggestion that a united Ireland is within touching distance upsets many people in the …

Of course, Cork is our second biggest airport. People are voting with their feet. We have seen an increase in passenger numbers out of all of those airports, Cork, Shannon and Knock, because people like flying out of them. Demand drives where airlines look to schedule flights. It is a little bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario. The airports in question are doing such a good job that they are attracting additional business. Government funding to the regional airports, including Cork and Shannon, has been really welcom…

Senator Ardagh also did a lot of work on getting that accreditation. Congratulations to both Senators. It is a great accolade for both Houses to have achieved. The Order of Business is No. 1, Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 2.45 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other…

The first person to speak was Senator Ardagh who congratulated Senator Carrigy, as did most Members this morning, on the fantastic achievement by the Oireachtas, which was really driven by Joint Committee on Autism chaired by Senator Carrigy, and other colleagues as well, in particular, Senator Ardagh, who put much work into educating all of us on the importance of being more inclusive as a Parliament and leading the way in being one of the first parliaments to become autism friendly. I know from conversations with…

That is the prerogative of the Government of the day.

In any event, the debate will be ongoing. I have no doubt we will hear more on it. I acknowledge the comments of Senator Boyhan, who supported the amendment to the Order of Business, which I will not accept. I take issue with some of the comments he made and the suggestion that somehow the time for certain debates in this House has been shortened. We have far more speaking time on legislation in this House per Member than the other House does. Ample time is always given. We have a weekly meeting, with all groupings…

It is customary across both Houses that following a bank holiday there is no Tuesday sitting.

Would you like me to address the point, a Chathaoirligh?

I will meet Senator Boyhan directly after the Order of Business so we can go through all of that. He will be well aware that the House does not normally sit on the next day following a bank holiday.