Before calling the next speaker I welcome to the Chamber Councillor Tony Fitzgerald, who served as the Lord Mayor of Cork for a number of years. He is welcome to Seanad Éireann.

We are all about open debate here but the Senator must be careful of the Standing Orders relating to the Kerins case that we have adopted in the context of naming people who are not in the Chamber to defend themselves. I would just make that point. The Senator is aware of the Standing Order.

No. If the Senator is making allegations, however, she has to be very careful.

The Senator is saying this clinic been subject to numerous reports about its level of care and that therefore-----

I am just saying-----

I am just urging caution.

The Senator's time is up.

I gave the Senator extra time.

Please.

I thank Senator Ahearn for his letter. I think it is a proposal that we would support. It would be unusual but we are living in unusual times. I think it would be appropriate that if MPs are travelling from Ukraine that they would engage with the Seanad and Senators to discuss the issues in person. I thank the Senator for his visit to Ukraine. It is important that people visit Ukraine and Kyiv, see for themselves what is happening on the ground, and bring back the message as the Senator has done. The opportunity fo…

I thank the Senator for her work in this regard. She is correct. I was working with the Taoiseach’s Department in the lead-up to 2016 commemorations. One of the issues that kept coming up was the issue of the flag flying overnight. Protocol comes from precedent, as we know. The precedent in relation to the flying of the national flag comes from Thomas Francis Meagher flying it for the first time on 7 March 1848, where it flew continuously, day and night. We know this from the records of Dublin Castle. It was flown …

I ask Senators to be cautious in their comments on appointments.

Go raibh míle maith agat. I join the Leader and colleagues on the elections in Northern Ireland. I congratulate all those who were elected and commend all who put their names forward for election. It is never an easy thing. We wish all the best in the future to those who had seats and lost them.

I welcome our guests in the Gallery.

I thank Senator Boyhan for his contribution. Coming from where he has come and given what he said of his journey, how he never imagined he would be in here when he was in one of the mother and baby homes and how he has ultimately ended up in Seanad Éireann speaking on legislation that affects so many people, I think it fitting and appropriate he take the Chair for the remainder of the session. I call on him to do so.

I have received the following message from Dáil Éireann. Dáil Éireann has passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 on 4 May 2022, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired.

I have received notice from Senator Mark Wall that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on the removal of the Athy municipal district from the recently announced regional aid map. I have also received notice from Senator Maria Byrne of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the appointment of an adjudicator of the pr…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House. I call Senator Mark Wall, who has four minutes.

I ask the Senator to write to me about the point he made that the question he asked was not answered.

If I am correct, Senator Wall made the point that the reply did not relate to the municipal district.