I have to be fair to the Minister of State.

For the record, we have given 40 minutes to this amendment. I have given lots of time.

I have to work within the parameters that are set out for me.

I thank Senator Craughwell. Obviously, in my capacity as Chair, I am limited in what I can say from this position. The record will clearly show the questions that have been set out here today at length. I am conscious that Senator Doherty wants to make another contribution. Then we will have to put the question.

The Leader has made an assertion that needs to be investigated.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I understand that the Leader of the House wishes to make a proposal.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I spoke earlier to amendment No. 17. There is an important point here. We have heard Senators speak about the impact on and the cost to businesses and justify the payment of 70% of the daily rate. I remain absolutely opposed to that because low-paid workers cannot afford to go out sick on 70% of the daily rate. To pick up on something Senator Seery Kearney talked about, we know that in the childcare sector many childcare workers earn barely above the minimum wage, often just over €12 per hour. They cannot afford to…

I move amendment No. 15: In page 7, line 8, after “day” to insert “, which shall be their full daily rate”.

I move amendment No. 17: In page 7, to delete lines 12 and 13 and substitute the following: “(a) specify the percentage rate of an employee’s pay, subject to- (i) a maximum daily amount, and (ii) a minimum daily amount, at which statutory sick leave payment will be paid,”.

I move amendment No. 18. In page 7, to delete lines 14 to 17.

I pay tribute to Senator Gavin on his Bill and to the Government for running with this Bill. The service charges issue is a rare example of the Government taking on board a point raised on Second Stage and introducing an amendment. I welcome this. I am delighted Joe Cunningham, Fiona Dunne and Clem Shevlin are present. It is through their campaigning that we have the Bill. Senator Casey made some very important points on the sector. The Bill has to be the start and not the end of the conversation on what happens in…

I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "(c) mandatorily made to an employer, or to a person engaging contract workers, by a customer, in the form of a mandatory service charge;",".

I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "(c) mandatorily made to an employer, or to a person engaging contract workers, by a customer, in the form of a mandatory service charge, in circumstances in which a reasonable person would be likely to infer that the customer intended or assumed that the payment would be distributed to an employee, a group of employees or to a contract worker;",".

I raise the statement of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, last week regarding four schools. I think it is fair to say this was a stunt designed to cover up the failures within the Department of Education. The hurt and negative aspersions that have been cast over the four schools have been very damaging. One of the schools, St. Gabriel's National School in Stoneybatter, has a great record and reputation for providing for children with additional needs. This September, it will have eight class teachers and six …

Last week I read into the record the names of 19 artists’ studios that closed in this city over the past decade. Today another name is being added to that list. I am really saddened that artists at Richmond Road Studios are effectively being shut out of their place of work and creativity as of today. We need to hear from the responsible Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, about what she intends to do about the wider issue of the hollowing out of artists’ spaces across the city. The report on special needs education,…

I thank the Tánaiste for coming to the House. I am delighted that we finally have the opportunity to debate the Bill. By the time it is enacted, it will probably be two years since the Labour Party put forward its legislation in the Dáil. Although we have obviously been impatient, we nonetheless herald the Bill as important legislation. Particular credit must be paid to the work of Patricia King, Laura Bambrick and others at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, as well as to SIPTU, which spent so much of the summer …

I must ask the Senator to conclude.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?