I did. I said it-----

On a point of order, before I started speaking on what I wanted to raise, I raised it then and addressed it to you. I asked-----

I asked that the Member be asked to withdraw their comment about the Minister. I asked that.

They were finished speaking. It was at the very end of when they spoke. I asked when I stood up, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, on a point of order.

I thank the Minister of State for coming in to discuss this all-important issue. I would like to start by congratulating him on his recent appointment and wish him the very best of luck. The Science Foundation Ireland research centre based at the University of Limerick has been responsible for scientific technological breakthroughs over many years. It has supported pharma since 2008 and pharma is one of the biggest industries in Ireland, with 67% of our exports coming from the pharma industry. SSPC is all about kno…

I know there is a process ongoing at the moment which cannot be made public but the point I want to highlight is the significance of these two centres to the region regarding the supply of PhD students who are necessary in terms of operation of these centres. The amount of investment these students are helping to generate through the talent and knowledge they are giving to industry in the region is the point that needs to be taken back. Hopefully, we will see funding for both Lero and SSPC.

The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, is very welcome.

Amendments Nos. 1, 4 and 10 to 15, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Does Senator Mullen consider his question relevant to the amendments we are currently discussing or is he happy to wait until we reach the later amendments?

If the Minister wishes to address it now, that is fine, although he has the option of waiting until later.

I ask the Senator to keep it relevant.

Could we deal with the amendments?

Senator Mullen, please keep your contribution relevant to the amendments being discussed.

I am not sure you are.

The Senator has gone off the amendments again.

Senator Mullen, please speak to the amendments.

I rise today to welcome that it looks like Limerick will now be included in the world cross-country championship rallies. There was doubt about whether Limerick, Kerry and Waterford would be included in backing from the Department of sport, but I understand that negotiations are under way. It is not quite clear about which year this will happen, but it is most welcome news that the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, is in the throes of a negotiation, which looks like it is going to be successful. I welcome tha…

I welcome Members for our Private Members' motion on national cancer services. Before I call on Senator Kyne to move the motion I welcome a group from Aghada National School from Youghal. You are all very welcome here today visiting the Dáil and the Seanad. I hope you are enjoying your day. Thank you very much indeed.

I thank Senator Conway. I acknowledge the presence of Ms Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, and her colleague. I apologise that I did not spot them earlier. They are very welcome here this evening.

I thank Senator Hoey. I welcome a former Member of this House, Lorraine Higgins, and the representatives of Mobility Partnership Ireland. They are very welcome here this evening. I hope they enjoy their visit to the Seanad.