Before I go to the motions that were brought forward at CPP, Seanad Éireann has agreed to observe a minute's silence in remembrance of the 14 people who were killed in Croke Park by the combined forces of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the auxiliary British armed forces and the Black and Tans on the afternoon of 21 November 1920, on what is forever known as Bloody Sunday. Today is about commemorating the 14 people who were killed on that afternoon. One hundred years ago, men, women and children went to a football ma…

Senator McDowell has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 2, motion re the sixth report of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the amendment of Standing Order 45, not be taken today." Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

Is the proposal agreed? Agreed.

The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has completed its consideration of the following motion: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Technological Universities Act 2018 (Section 36) (Appointed Day) Order 2020, a copy of which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 28th October, 2020.

I thank Senator Cassells for raising that important issue.

It was seconded by Senator Craughwell.

Yesterday, I started my ranganna Gaeilge online. I will circulate to Members the options available to them for improving their Irish, including in the Chamber. I hope we will start to do that as soon as possible.

Last but by no means least, I call Senator Gallagher.

Senator Paul Gavan has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That Nos. 1 and 2 be taken with debate." Is the amendment being pressed?

I welcome the Minister of State and thank Senators for being here for this important debate.

I call Senator Eileen Flynn. We are honoured to have the Senator here. The reason this debate is taking place is that she raised the issue on the Order of Business some weeks ago. It is important to have people from all backgrounds in the Seanad, so that the issues that are relevant to their communities and the people they know are brought up here.

That is an excellent recommendation. I call Senator Rebecca Moynihan.

The way our debates are structured at present means each Senator has eight minutes, which barely allows all of the groups to come in. I want to inform those coming in to chair the debate after me of this, as they will try to get people in. It is a bit like last week. We changed the rules at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges today, whereby the old rules will apply to allow for shorter contributions so more people can contribute.

While the Senator is quoting directly it is slightly unparliamentary language.

I am not going to go into it in detail.

Senator Lombard is leading for Fine Gael.

Give a Corkman an inch and he takes a mile. I thank the Senator for his commiserations. I will pass them on to the Kerry team. I am sure it will warm the cockles of their hearts.

I thank Senator Flynn for raising the issue.

Under Standing Orders, if Senator Buttimer wishes to intervene, he should ask permission.

These are the rules of the House.