I will shortly call the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice back in to respond to Members and talk about the next steps. I am aware that the O'Malley report was published with 54 recommendations. What this is about as a process is looking at recommendations made by committees. We have discussed such recommendations before and we have all worked on them, but this is about making sure that action is taken and, working with the Chairs of the committees from here on, that they get an opportunity to revisit repor…

I thank the Members who contributed to the debate. As the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice outlined, this is the first debate in the Seanad on the recommendations of a committee report. Such debates will generally take place approximately six months after the report is published in order that we can see which recommendations have been put in place and which remain outstanding.

I welcome the Minister to the House for this important debate and thank him for all the work he is doing and the support he is getting for Ireland, not only at an EU level but also in the United States of America and across the globe, to protect the Good Friday Agreement, which is a key reason for the Northern Ireland protocol.

I thank Senator Chambers for her work on the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, and for highlighting the issues and opportunities that are presented for Northern Ireland in the protocol, which is often lost in the debate in Northern Ireland.

I thank the Minister for his work on this important issue. I also thank our colleagues in the European Union and the Irish MEPs, who have been strong on this issue, working with their colleagues across the European Parliament. I also thank our friends in America. Congressman Richard Neal was mentioned earlier. I also thank President Biden and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, for their support for Ireland's position on this important topic.

I have received notice from Senator Martin Conway 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 staffing resources and services at the diabetes clinic in the University Limerick Hospitals Group. I have also received notice from Senator Aisling Dolan of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a national diabetes register. I have also r…

We had a discussion yesterday at the commission meeting and I have been asked to read out a health and safety note. All Members in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in respect of protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members are strongly advised to practice good hand hygiene and observe the checkerboard seating arrangement. They should also maintain a proper level of social distancing during and after sittings. Masks, preferably of a medical grade, should be …

I call the leader of the Fianna Fáil grouping, Senator Chambers.

I thank the Senator for raising that important issue. When we see the level of pollution in Delhi and other cities, it brings to mind the challenges around climate change.

I allowed the Senator a little latitude because she was raising an important topic.

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for that important and valid suggestion.

It will be the chequerboard seating, so every second seat, plus the Galleries.

It is 30 for the Chamber, and another 14 for the Gallery and the outside.

They can all be present.

There will be 30 here, 19 in the Gallery, and the standing spots.

Yes, if 60 turn up.

Yes. The plan has been circulated to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight.

We will discuss it at the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight meeting tomorrow. We will go through that.

I agree.

We will do that.