Dáil Éireann has passed the Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the framework for the future delivery of water services and the impact it will have on businesses in rural towns such as Clonmel, County Tipperary. Senator Mary Seery Kearney - The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the appointment of a consultant for post-transplant cystic fibros…

I welcome the ladies from St. Pius X Girls National School in Terenure. I thank their teachers for bringing them here. I hope the students will keep their teachers nice and quiet during the vote.

I rise to support Senator Doherty concerning the cynical move being perpetrated upon the victims of what happened in St. John Ambulance. I suggest that we invite the relevant committee to use this Chamber, along with the victims and trustees. We should let it be known that the trustees will be held to account and that they will be invited to attend a meeting here of the appropriate Oireachtas committee. We should make this Chamber available to that committee and the trustees so that the latter can answer questions.…

Dáil Éireann passed the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022 on 1 March 2023, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann passed the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 on 1 March 2023, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann agreed on 1 March 2023 to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2022.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Erin McGreehan - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on the introduction of a digital accessibility grant to enable companies develop their websites and mobile applications in order to comply with the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020. Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee - The need for the Minis…

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, to the House. The first Commencement matter is from Senator Erin McGreehan.

Before I call the Minister of State, I welcome visitors from Stratford College in Rathgar to Seanad Éireann today.

Some 175 years ago the Irish flag was flown for the first time from 33 The Mall in Waterford by Thomas Francis Meagher. When he was asked of its significance, he said the white in the centre signified a lasting truce between orange and green and that he hoped that beneath its folds the hands of Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants would be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood. Thomas Francis Meagher went on to have an extraordinary life by any measure. He led the rebellion of 1848 and was put on trial for hi…

I welcome Blaithnaid Keogan-Farrelly who is all the way from Cavan and is a niece of Senator Sharon Keogan. She is doing work experience in the Seanad all week. Do not worry, you will be working very hard.

I join with the Senator in extending the sympathies of the Seanad to the family and friends of the late Congressman Brian Donnelly who, as the Senator quite eloquently outlined, did so much for Ireland, especially through the visa programme but also through his work in Northern Ireland and in bringing peace to this island. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Amendments Nos. 32 and 33 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 35 and 36 are related and may discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 37 to 39, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 40 to 42, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 44 and 48 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I bring in the Minister of State, I welcome to the Visitors Gallery the members of Soroptimist International who are on a tour of Leinster House. I thank them for coming to Seanad Éireann today. Their great work in empowering women and engendering trust and togetherness among women and girls is greatly appreciated, not only here in Ireland but across the world. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, and his wife, Siobhán, for facilitating their visit. I thank our guests for coming. As they will…

Join the club. That includes Senator Boyhan as well.

Amendments Nos. 49 and 50 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.