The Senator is not moving the amendments. He has six minutes.

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the House. I thank him for taking time out from his busy schedule to take two of these important Commencement matters. If the Minister will bear with me, I will, under Standing Orders, read out the Commencement matters. I have received notice from Senator Aidan Davitt that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the backlog in driver theory tests and…

I again thank the Minister for coming into the House.

I ask for ciúnas in the Chamber while the Senator is speaking.

I apologise, I called the Senator too early. I will give her a moment to catch her breath because there are a few staircases around Leinster House. Senator Black can take a moment and begin her contribution whenever she is ready.

I would just like to inform Senator Burke, before he leaves the House, that a seat is available for him. He is last on the rota of speakers but he will be called to contribute.

I thank the Senator for remembering the men who died in Clonmult. It was the largest loss suffered by the volunteers during the War of Independence and we remember them all on this day in this House.

They do not get out enough.

I join with the Senator in paying tribute to Séamus Haughey after 38 years of service. He is an outstanding researcher with a wealth of information and knowledge, and he was able to get it to Members as quickly as they needed it, often under huge time constraints. He is a consummate gentleman to his fingertips. I call the Leader to respond on the Order of Business.

Senator Wall moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 7 be taken before No. 1." The Leader has indicated that she is willing to agree to the amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

Is there a seconder?

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from Senator Mary Fitzpatrick that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the arrangements being put in place for the leaving certificate examinations in 2021. I have also received notice from Senators Malcolm Byrne and Barry Ward of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the detention of pro-democracy and human rights …

I thank the Minister of State. I thank Senators for allowing a longer reply but I believe it is an important issue.

I thank the Minister of State for the reply and Senator Fitzpatrick for tabling the question. I believe all Members will be interested in the response and I know it will change as the hours evolve. Before moving on to the next matter, I ask Senator Fintan Warfield to take the Chair. It is the first time he has taken a Chair since he was 22 years of age. He chaired South Dublin County Council between 2014 and 2015. He will take the Chair for the remainder of the Commencement matters.

Su laisvës diena, Lietuva. Lithuania Day is 16 February so I wish all Lithuanians a very happy independence day, especially the 70,000 Lithuanians living in Ireland. The day commemorates the declaration of independence, which was signed in 1918 and which re-established the State of Lithuania after nearly 150 years of Tsarist Russian occupation. Another independence day in Lithuania is 11 March and it marks its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. The Lithuanian community is the second largest in this State. …

The whole House shares the Senator's sentiments in respect of the sad loss of a member of the Defence Forces.

I wish to clarify something for the benefit of the House. Senator Byrne proposed an amendment to the Order of Business. Has it been seconded by Senator O'Loughlin?