Does the Minister wish to speak to the amendments?

I thank the Minister for bringing that to the attention of the House. It is a matter that will be discussed at a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of Seanad Éireann, as the items are not related to the Bill itself and the main purpose of the Bill.

Amendments Nos. 4, 9 and 11 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 5 and 15 to 19, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 18 is a physical alternative to No. 17. Amendments Nos. 5 and 15 to 19, inclusive, may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 6 and 48 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I remind Senators that three of them voted in the wrong seat. If a Senator has a query as to which seat he or she is in, the Senator should ask and we will point him or her in the right direction.

There is a first time for everything.

The Minister, without interruption.

I have received notice from Senator Paul Daly that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the boarding out payment rates payable to householders under the HSE boarding out scheme for elderly people. I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the transport charges for people with disabilities accessi…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte.

I join the Senator in expressing our sympathies to the families who have, over the last number of hours, gone through the most unimaginable horror to befall any parent, which is the loss of a child. As the Senator has pointed out, it is an unnecessary loss. This is a failure of politics at its worst. The US is a world superpower. If it cannot protect its own children, then the solution is not more police; it is more politics and people working together to make sure they protect their children.

Senator Craughwell knows the rules of the House.

I thank the Senator for his kind words about Congressman Neal's address yesterday. I also welcome the boys and girls of sixth class at St. Sinneach's National School in Colehill, Longford, whose local Senator is Senator Carrigy. I welcome the principal and the sixth class teacher, Ms Lavelle. I am told that Senator Carrigy's wife, Úna, teaches in the school so our guests will have to be on their best behaviour. We will pass a resolution so the students all get off homework whenever they want. I also welcome the stu…

I thank the Senator for his contribution and kind words.

I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Senator Malcolm Byrne's brother, Ronan. He and his partner Amanda are most welcome. We are delighted to have them here. As he knows, his brother works very hard on behalf of all the people who elected him in addition to the people of Wexford. We are delighted he is making such a valuable contribution, but Ronan can tell us all the other stories later when we meet him outside. Is the Order of Business agreed?

I have received notice from Senator Paul Gavan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the industrial action taken by the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association. I have also received notice from Senator Lisa Chambers on the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the return to full day services at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo. I hav…

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, back after his address to the United Nations. He is most welcome.

I thank the Senator for his contribution and for remembering somebody who showed generosity to everyone, including his enemies.

I thank the Minister of State.

I thank Senators Ahearn and Ward for speaking to what is happening in Ukraine and for their continued work behind the scenes with parliamentarians to make sure that the war is eventually won by the people of Ukraine.