For the information of the House, the following Oireachtas Members have been selected as representatives of the Houses of the Oireachtas to the Conference on the Future of Europe: Deputy John Brady, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, Deputy Neale Richmond, Deputy Niamh Smyth. The conference is a joint undertaking between the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission, acting as equal partners with EU member states. It was inaugurated on 9 May and will hold its inaugural plenary meeting on 19 June. I am s…

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins is a member of the delegation.

I have received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Social Protection to extend the free travel scheme to include people diagnosed with epilepsy. I have also received notice from Senator Maria Byrne of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Social Protection to review the telephone and living alone allowances for citizens over the age of 70 years. I have also received no…

There will be no canvassing in the Chamber, just so the Senator knows.

The Senator is making claims in the Chamber. He just needs to be careful about allegations being made here.

I thank Senator Burke and before I call on the Leader, I join him in wishing Ann and Mary all the best in what will hopefully be a long and happy retirement. Their long and excellent service to Leinster House is well known by all of us. When one rings the switchboard, they are always very professional and courteous. It is great that Leinster House offers a service where human beings answer the phone. Ann and Mary have been the voice of Leinster House for decades and we wish them a long and happy retirement. I call …

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Slightly. I call Senator Gavan.

Dáil Éireann has passed, on 2 June 2021, the Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill, 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.

We often mark the national days of our European Union colleagues. Like St. Patrick's Day, the Portuguese national day is a moment to remember one the country's heroes, the great poet, Luís de Camões, the anniversary of whose death is in 1580. That is the anniversary remembered by the Portuguese people. Luís de Camões was the author of the epic poem "The Lusiads", which highlights the voyage of discovery of the seafaring nation between the 15th and 16th centuries. Portugal's national day unites all the Portuguese pe…

This is a Seanad Bill which has been amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 148, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question, "That the Bill be received for final consideration", the Minister may explain the purpose of the amendments made by the Dáil. This is looked upon as the report of the Dáil amendments to the Seanad. For Senators' convenience, I have arranged for the printing and circulation of t…

Sorry, Senator, under Standing Order 39 Senators have to ask permission.

I did not hear you.

Senator Ward has 30 seconds.

As it is now 10.15 a.m.-----

Is this a point of order?

Is this a point of order?

The Senator will resume his seat.

I must put the question. I am required to put the following question in accordance with an order of the Seanad of 1 June 2021: "That Fourth Stage is hereby completed, that the Bill is hereby received for final consideration and that the Bill is hereby passed."

As no tellers have been appointed for the "Níl" side I declare the question carried.