I want to point out that I have given a lot of latitude, but there is a clock for a reason.

If you want to-----

Senator, I am making a general point. If you want your three minutes, come in for the start. If your speech is going to take over three minutes, you might want to bring it up as a Commencement matter.

Take your time.

I thank the Minister of State for being here for the debate, where more than half the Seanad contributed to the very important topic of safety in our communities. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I know. That was my error. I think we might be in injury time.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the Iar-Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy, to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Larry served with distinction as president of the GAA, and also did us the honour of addressing us in our last term. He is welcome back. Larry was the first president of the GAA to be elected from outside of the island of Ireland, which is some achievement in itself. We could all take notes from Larry on how he managed to do that. Deputy Michael Moynihan is here as well with a …

Ah, Senator, your time.

I thank the Senator. I ask that the Senators take note of what Senator Craughwell has said.

No, Senator. As a general rule, the Members who lead off are allowed to raise two or three matters but all other Members have two minutes and must either get everything into those two minutes or raise one issue.

As no other speaker is offering, I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business.

Nos. 1 and 2 on the Order Paper are motions on the election of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. Both motions will be debated together. I call Senator Seán Kyne to move the motion proposing Senator Maria Byrne.

Go raibh maith agat. Is there a seconder?

As there are no other Senators offering, I will put the questions in the order in which the motions were moved. Is the motion proposing Senator Maria Byrne agreed to?

I congratulate Senator Byrne. I ask her to come up and read the pledge at the Leader's desk. I compliment her on her long and distinguished service to the Seanad, to Limerick - she has raised issues relating to it many times in the Chamber - and across the country. We look forward to working with her, all of us here together, as our Leas-Chathaoirleach.

We will put Senator Byrne to work straight away. I congratulate her.

The Dáil has passed the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Bill 2025 on 12 February 2025, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

Letters dated 6 February 2025 have been received from the Secretary to the Government regarding the appointment of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, members of the Government and Ministers of State. The letters will be recorded in the Journal of the House.

I think he also described himself once upon a time as a drinker with a writing problem. More famously, after he was charged and sentenced in court in his absence, he said they might as well hang him in his absence as well. He was a man of great wit and humour.