Thank you, Senator Scahill, and happy birthday to the Minister of State.

Senators Collins and McCormack are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival, which started on Monday and will run through to next Sunday, involves 123 free events to do with literacy. It is being run by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, LCETB, and other supporting bodies. There are activities involving IT skills, art, entrepreneurship, open days, tours, education, dance and the Healthy Ireland programme. It is about highlighting the importance of literacy, education and learning as one goes along. The organisers are in their 15th y…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. I remind Senators that they may speak only once on Report Stage, except for the proposer of an amendment, who may reply to the discussion on that amendment. Each amendment on Report Stage must be seconded.

We are just dealing with amendment No. 1 right now.

Amendments Nos. 2 to 4, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Normally, I would only allow the Minister of State in once, but because Senator Higgins has so many questions, I know he is anxious to answer them so that is no problem.

Amendment No. 5 has been ruled out order.

Amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I am sorry, Senator Higgins. The Minister of State has the floor. The Senator has had her time.

When is it proposed to take Final Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I ask the Leader to move the suspension of the House until 7 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Dáil Éireann has passed the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024 on 2 April 2025 to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I welcome the Tánaiste to the House to address us. It is great to see so many Senators here this morning. I invite the Tánaiste to make his opening address.

I thank the Tánaiste. I understand Senator Ahearn is sharing time with Senators Joe O'Reilly and Scahill.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I understand that Senator Craughwell is sharing two minutes of his time with Senator Joe Conway.

: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne.

As we have three five-minute slots left, I call the Leader to move for an extension of time, and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for agreeing to stay on.