Is that agreed? Agreed. The Senators have one minute each.

I have got to tell you-----

No, I cannot.

In accordance with the agreements of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the seating allocation was one seat for Sinn Féin, two for the Labour Party, two for Independents, one for the Civil Engagement Group and then the Government parties. That is the current arrangement and is a point of order.

As no tellers have been nominated on the Níl side the division cannot proceed and I declare the question carried.

I am not going to stop anyone appointing tellers. I am informed that the tellers were appointed by the Tá side. If the Níl side wants to appoint tellers we can do so.

No that is not a point of order. We are on the procedure.

Sorry.

That is a different issue. A point of order should be on the procedure in front of us. Tellers have been appointed for the Tá side. If no tellers are appointed by the Níl side, and I will allow tellers to be appointed, then the motion will be carried.

In accordance with the order of today, the House stands adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 November 2020.

Many Senators spoke last week on the issue of the US presidential election. Now that we have President-elect Biden, the Ceann Comhairle and I wrote to the Taoiseach asking that consideration be given to inviting President-elect Biden to come to Ireland and to address a joint sitting of these Houses. I know the Mayo and Louth contingents, and now I hear the Wexford and Cork contingents, where he has relatives would welcome such an address. In our letter to President-elect Biden, we quoted one of his favourite poets,…

I will put him on the list.

Before I call on Senator Dolan, I wish to explain the order in which Members are being called. I have done so previously. I know Members have noticed Senators coming into the Chamber and being called ahead of other Senators who have indicated. Normally, when Members come in, they go on the rota but, because of Covid-19, we cannot have all the Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael Senators, for example, showing up at the same time because there simply are not enough speaking slots or microphones available for them. I have asked …

There was no need for that. The Senator was going so well and then he had to mention that. It was a bad enough year and then that had to happen.

I have received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on his plans to reform the local property tax. I have also received notice from Senator Joe O'Reilly of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consider an extension of the pheasant shooting season until February 2021. I have also received notice from Se…

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and for bearing with us on that procedural issue.

I understand that the Leader wishes to make a proposal to the House.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Minister for Health for coming to the House and invite him to make his opening statement.

I call Senator Conway.