I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Shane Curley - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the health professions admission test exam for entrance to college courses in the medical field. Senator Joe O'Reilly - The need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the reduction of the student to teacher ratio from 23:1 to 19:1. Senators Patricia Step…

The Minister, Deputy Lawless, is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank him for being here for the first Commencement matter, which is by an Seanadóir Curley.

I welcome guests of Deputy Michael Murphy from Cashel rehab centre and Knocklofty rehab centre. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for being here today. The Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, is here as well. I thank her for being here. She can go to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. As a former Member, she has that privilege.

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome guests of Senator Curley, Ciarán Hayden and Jennifer Davidson from the Writers' Guild. I thank them for being here.

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome guests of former Senator, Ivana Bacik, a Member of the other House and leader of the Labour Party. They are from the New York University summer in Dublin program. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I thank them for being here. Anois, an Seanadóir Sarah O'Reilly.

The debate will follow the normal pattern, with the Minister of State having ten minutes, group spokespersons having eight minutes and all other Senators having four minutes, with the Minister of State to reply no later than 9.20 p.m.

Allow Senator Conway to continue, without interruption.

When is it proposed to sit again?

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Aubrey McCarthy - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on steps to reduce waiting times for autism assessments and early intervention services. Senator Margaret Murphy O'Mahony - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the regulation of the taxi sector to ensure there is an adequate taxi supply. Senator P. J. Murphy - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affa…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, to the House. Before I call on Senator McCarthy, I welcome the new Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Field, to Seanad Éireann. I thank her for being here and congratulate her on her election last night as Deputy Lord Mayor. I heard some of the speeches made about her and her fantastic work in her community and now for the city of Dublin. I thank her for being in Seanad Éireann today. She is most welcome.

I thank Senator Collins for raising that issue which happened to her father but is obviously something that can happen to anyone at any time, particularly in relation to a shift change issue. Time might be limited in terms of having a debate but the Senator may wish to put in a Commencement matter, work with the Seanad Office on the phrasing of it and ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, to come to the Seanad for that particular topic.

Glaoim ar an Seanadóir Murphy. I make the point to the Senator that in relation to the Commencement matter this morning, we will be dealing with that issue. I apologise; that should never happen in the Seanad. Unfortunately, it will happen twice this year.

I am sure the Leader and myself would be honoured on behalf of the Seanad to write to the Bell family who turned tragedy into something positive and have helped thousands of families in their darkest hours. Many Members of Seanad Éireann have turned to them at those times of tragedy in our own communities, when people have lost loved ones overseas and do not know who to turn to. Those in the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been those people and have done extraordinary work. Their service was for the people of th…

I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. The time limit for the proposer and seconder is 16 minutes. All other Senators have six minutes. The debate will follow the normal pattern. The Minister of State will be called on to contribute from the Government's side when he indicates and will have 15 minutes.

Are the Senators sharing time?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

As a general rule, we do not refer to the fact that people are not in the Chamber. It is just a general rule.

I remind Members that amendments Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, and 19 are related and the House agreed to discuss them together. Amendment No. 11 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 10. Does anybody with to contribute?

We were discussing amendment No. 19 and the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, was present. Does the Minister wish to comment on amendment No. 19?

The grouping is amendments Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, and amendment No. 19.