Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Garret Kelleher - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the capital works relating to the construction of a new permanent school building for Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin, County Cork. Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the electricity storage policy framework action plan, in particular the establishme…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan.

Before I ask the Deputy Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the German ambassador to Ireland. He is accompanied by Deputy Timmins, who is the convenor of the Irish-German friendship group. On 3 October 1990, 35 years ago, Germany achieved reunification after a long period of division and began a successful process or reintegration. Ireland is proud of the part it played as President of the European Council in chairing the pivotal meeting in Dublin that led to pan-European support for German reunifica…

One speaker at a time.

Go raibh maith agat.

Go raibh maith agat, a Sheanadóir.

Can we have silence and order, please? I move to the next speaker, Senator Byrne.

We have to put the amendment from Senator Ruane first and then the Deputy Leader can propose her amendment.

It was Senator Ruane.

Senator Black seconded.

Senator Ruane has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 1 a on the Supplementary Order Paper be taken after No. 1." Is the amendment being pressed?

I thank the Minister of State for coming in to discuss this all-important topic. I ask for an update on indoor vaping. In 2022, I brought a Private Members' motion to this House and the Minister of State's predecessor, Deputy Feighan, took it on behalf of the then Minister, Stephen Donnelly. I was assured we were at an advanced stage of bringing forward recommendations on indoor vaping. I have had businesses and people in public places on to me and they are not comfortable with people vaping at the next table to th…

I welcome that a Bill is coming to address vapes, including some of the flavours, albeit not all of them, as well as single-use vapes. This is very good news but I still do not understand something. We took a brave move when we brought in the smoking ban and made smokers go out to the smoking area, so why can we not put vapers into the smoking area as well? I believe that people are concerned about this. It is not just youth who are vaping, but all ages. Numbers are going up in terms of the sale of vapes, with more…

I thank the Minister of State.

I would like to be associated with the welcome to the ambassador who was here a few minutes ago. I wish him a happy national day. I rise to welcome the fact that over 18,000 people will be in receipt of the companion pass, effective from today. That will help. It will allow people to bring a companion with them when they travel by train or bus. It helps to address the issue of loneliness. Today is the International Day of Older Persons. I yesterday attended an event in Enniskerry, County Wicklow, where a group of w…

I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, for the debate on the Private Members' motion on agriculture. Before I call the first speaker, I welcome Councillor John Michael Foley and his father John Foley to the audience. They are very welcome and I hope they enjoy the proceedings this evening. I hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. The time limits for the debate are that the combined speeches of the proposer and seconder shall not exceed 16 minutes and all other Senators h…

Go raibh maith agat, a Sheanadóir. The Minister has indicated he would like to intervene now. He has the floor.

I understand that Senators McCormack and Tully are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome to the Chamber the Minister of State, Deputy Grealish. I call Senator Cosgrove.