We will get the choir going.

I thank Senator Erin Brigid McGreehan and call Senator Burke.

I welcome Senator Tom Clonan who is here in the Gallery with his sister Marie Clonan and their grandmother who is from County Kerry. That explains a lot. I call Senator Buttimer.

I again thank the staff and Senators who were involved in the planning and preparation, as well as the people who did a lot of work behind the scenes, including Martin Groves, Bridget Doody and all on the Seanad team who made it work so well. I also thank Senator Chambers for her kind words. Senator Keogan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 129(4) be taken before No. 1." It was seconded by Senator Boyhan. The Acting Leader has indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment.

I call Senator Casey to suspend the House to allow the Minister to attend the Dáil Chamber for the vote.

Just before Senator Higgins responds, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitor's Gallery the family and friends of the late former Deputy Bobby Aylward. He was a great friend of all of us in this House and of all of the staff and Members of the Oireachtas. We had many great conversations with him. We really enjoyed the by-election campaign in Kilkenny when we were fighting for the seat he won back. We always enjoyed the hospitality we received in Kilkenny from his family. He is being remembered in Dáil Éireann today …

Recommendations Nos. 11 to 16, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together.

As it is now 3.35 p.m., I am required to put the following question in accordance with the order of the Seanad of this day: "That recommendation No. 11 is hereby negatived; Fourth Stage is hereby completed; the Bill is hereby received for final consideration; and the Bill is hereby returned to the Dáil."

Amendment No. 4 in the names of Senators Craughwell and Boyhan is out of order as it involves a potential charge.

Amendments Nos. 5, 6 and 12 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 7 has been ruled out of order.

Amendment No. 8 has been ruled out of order.

Amendment No. 9 has been ruled out of order.

When is it proposed to take Final Stage?

Established in the midst of a bitter, tragic and divisive Civil War in which many families lost loved ones, the Seanad played a role in establishing and consolidating the democratic institutions of our State. It was under this shadow of war the Senators took their seats in this Chamber on 11 December 1922. Only four days earlier on 7 December serving Deputy, Seán Hales, was shot dead on his way to this building to oversee the election of Senators. On the following day four republican leaders, Rory O'Connor, Liam Me…

Go raibh maith agat, a Thaoisigh. We will now have contributions from the group leaders.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach. I thank him for all his assistance. It was a pleasure to work with him for the past two and a half years. Many thanks are due to many people for the success of today's event and of the past year of commemorative events. I thank in particular the Taoiseach for honouring us with his presence.

We are still on the record so that is definitely the first time a piece of music has been part of proceedings in a parliament anywhere in the world. On our 100th anniversary, it is most appropriate. I thank Mr. Eamonn Walsh, who is a member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which has been central to Irish traditional music and culture for decades and has been one of the Seanad’s nominating bodies for over 40 years. Labhrás Ó Murchú was a Member of the Seanad and president of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for many years…

Dáil Éireann has passed the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 on 7 December 2022, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the House for these important Statements on COP27. The Minister has been working hard on this issue for decades. We thank him for his work and for coming to Seanad Éireann this morning.