Through the Chair, please.

Senator Mullen without interruption, please.

This is the Order of Business unless Senator Boylan wants to interrupt through Standing Orders.

It could be the winter. It is the winter already actually; it is getting chilly.

I congratulate them too on behalf of Seanad Éireann. Kerrygold is a great brand but then anything that has Kerry in it has to be great.

Dia dhaoibh, a chairde. I welcome everyone back. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters on the Commencement of the Seanad: Senator Lynn Boylan: The need for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline his plans to meet the European Council’s regulation on reducing gas demand by 15% this winter. Senator John Cummins: The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement …

I thank the Minister of State. While we are waiting for the Minister for Education to come in, I welcome Senator Ahearn's brother, Patrick, to the Gallery. Conall is our newest and youngest visitor to the Seanad Chamber and Patrick's wife, Laura, is here as well. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I am sure Senator Ahearn will have a successor in Conall at some stage down the line. Not just today but maybe in the future, a long line of Ahearns will serve in the Oireachtas. I welcome the Minister to the Hou…

I thank the Minister, Deputy Foley, for taking time out of her busy schedule to come before the Seanad.

I thank the ambassador for being with us today on the Order of Business for the minute's silence. On behalf of the House, I sent a letter to my counterpart, the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord John Francis McFall, expressing our sympathy on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whose visit to Ireland in 2011 did a lot to deepen and strengthen relationships on this island. Her use of the Irish language on that visit was a symbolic gesture that was deeply appreciated by all the people of Ireland. Ar dheis Dé go r…

The commission met this morning, as Senators know. It will seek all of the Senators' views and that of their staff regarding the report that has been spoken about so I would ask you all to engage in that particular consultation. I call on the Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett.

I call Senator Hoey and apologise to her as I should have called her much earlier.

I would not doubt that for a second. I thank the Senator.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I call the next speaker, I want to remind Senators that each speaker has six minutes and the Minister can come in whenever he indicates. The Minister will have 15 minutes. I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Matthew McGreehan, who is Senator McGreehan's brother. I thank Matthew for coming, along with the other members of the Louth branch of the Irish Farmers Association, TJ Meegan and John Carroll. They are most welcome and I am sure we will see them later. Matthew's sister is making a valuable contribution to…

The Minister has indicated that he wants to contribute. On behalf of the Seanad, I pass on our sympathies on the death of his mother. It is just over a month since he lost her so suddenly. We express our sympathies to him and all the Ryan family on such a tragic loss.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Before I read out some messages from the Dáil, I am sure colleagues will join me in welcoming the French ambassador to Ireland, H.E Mr. Vincent Guérend, to Seanad Éireann and wishing him a very happy Bastille Day. The storming of the Bastille marked the beginning of a revolution that created a republic under the guiding principles of liberté, égalité and fraternité. It is well known that many young Irish men and women were inspired by the values of the French republic to pursue their own quest for freedom and indep…

Dáil Éireann has passed the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2022 on 13 July 2022, having been changed from the Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2022, considered, by virtue of Article 20.2.2° of the Constitution, as a Bill initiated in Dáil Éireann to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann has passed the Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022 on 13 July 2022 without amendment.

The Senator may take two minutes of Senator Lombard's time.

The Senator is more than welcome to it. This is the last sitting day before the summer recess.