Go raibh míle maith agat. Senators Ahearn and Ward will lead the responses. I commend the Senators on their initiative in going to Ukraine and on their leadership in making sure this historic event happened, where Members of the Ukrainian Parliament have been the first to address a national parliament since the war began.

In quoting Irish patriots, I will quote Terence MacSwiney, who said it is not those who can inflict the most but those who can endure the most who will prevail in the end. Another wise quote states that it is not the scorn of my enemies but the silence of my friends that hurts the most. In Ireland, our guests will not hear any silence with respect to Ukraine. We will finish the session by saying Slava Ukraini .

I welcome the Minister of State back into the House.

Will the Senators claiming the division please rise?

As fewer than five Members have risen, I declare the question carried. In accordance with Standing Order 61, the names of the Senators dissenting will be recorded in the Official Report and the Journal of the Proceedings of the Seanad.

Before we commence, I remind Senators that a Member may speak only once per amendment on Report Stage except for the amendment's proposer, who may reply to the discussion on same. Also on Report Stage, each amendment must be seconded. Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 24 and 25 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 3 is out of order, as it does not arise out of committee proceedings.

Amendment No. 4 and amendments Nos. 9 to 13, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Amendments Nos. 10 to 13, inclusive, are physical alternatives to 9.

Amendments Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, are physical alternatives to amendment No. 5.

Amendments Nos. 14 to 21, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 22 and 23 are related and may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Joint Committee on Health has completed its consideration of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, section 95(3), variation of Title regulation 2022.

Before I read the Commencement, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador from Italy. He is most welcome. Today marks Italy's Republic Day, the establishment of the Republic of Italy in 1946. The Irish and the Italians have a great shared history of emigration. We are known as builders of nations, in particular in the United States of America. Migration between our two countries has been going on for thousands of years. Irish monks, led by Columbanus, founded a monastery near Genoa in the 7th c…

Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome the ambassador of Denmark to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Denmark's national day is Constitution Day. As an EU member state, Denmark has been a valued friend of Ireland, especially during the Brexit process. The Kingdom of Denmark celebrates Constitution Day, which marks its first constitution in 1849 and its current constitution in 1953. The close bonds between Denmark and Ireland are well known and stretch all the way back to the Vikin…

Before I call on the Deputy Leader of the Fianna Fáil group, in the Gallery with us as well we have the pupils from sixth class in Grange National School. Are they going to give us a wave? They are. I thank them. This is Senator Ahearn's local primary school and I am sure he was a well-behaved student in his days there. We have the deputy principal with us, Richard Carroll, as well as teachers, Marie and Lauren, and the chair of the board of management, Liam Ahearn. Is he any relation to Senator Ahearn?

I thank Senator Buttimer for the point of information. I also welcome Liam to the Gallery as well, and all the boys and girls from Grange National School. I thank them for coming to Seanad Éireann today. I call Senator Fiona O'Loughlin.

I thank the Senator for raising those important issues. I thank her also for her leadership in PACE, representing Ireland across Europe. It was important this week to have so many of our friends and allies from the European community and beyond in Dublin with us to enable us as a country to communicate our message. It is very important that, with her leadership and that of others, we continue our diplomatic efforts in relation to Brexit and all the challenges we face as a country. I again thank the Senator for maki…

I have received notice from Senator Sharon Keogan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the necessity for changes to the Safe Pass system for construction workers in view of the 2017 High Court ruling on the renewal of registration cards. I have also received notice from Senator John Cummins of the following matter: The need for the Mi…

I welcome to the House the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and I thank him for being here.

Members will be aware, Mary Jackman, who was twice elected to this House, died on Monday, 30 May. A proud Limerick woman, Mary was a teacher by profession spending her entire career at Presentation College. As a member of Limerick County Council, Mary was a dedicated public representative for almost 30 years. She gave three decades of service to the people of Limerick city and county. Not only was she the first female chair of Limerick County Council but she was also the first female Senator to represent Limerick. …