I thank the father of the House.

The House stands adjourned until 10.30 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, 1 October 2020, in the Seanad Chamber, in accordance with the order made today.

I have notice from Senator Lynn Ruane that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health make a statement on the operation of the HPV vaccination programme in schools for second level students. I have also received notice from Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a State-funded contraception scheme. I have also received notice fr…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, to the Chamber. It is appropriate that he is with us as he is a former Member of the Seanad. He will be responding to all of the matters selected today.

This week is the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, in which Ireland has a proud record of service. Our Defence Forces have served with distinction overseas on behalf of the UN since 1958, and in every hour of every day of every year since there has been a member of our Defence Forces on duty on behalf of people and of peace. No other nation on Earth has such a record of service. They have served in Liberia, the Congo and Lebanon. In recognition of the service and sacrifice of thousands of Iris…

I ask other Senators to please stop talking. The Chamber was designed for good acoustics, so we can hear their conversations. I call Senator Gallagher, without interruption.

I join the Senator in wishing the team the best of luck. I do not think the matter of GAA fixtures comes under the remit of Seanad Éireann. However, having been the chairman of a GAA team with dual fixture problems, I take the Senator's point.

I join Senator Boyhan in his praise for the Clerk of the Seanad and the Clerk Assistant of the Seanad, who were here last night until 11 o'clock going through all the amendments for the Forestry Bill. The House had to be kept open to do that. I thank the Senator for his comments.

Senator.

Senators may intervene but they must ask permission. That is just courtesy. Following the intervention, the Senator may have more time if he wishes.

While we may have a debate, the Senator might also submit that as a Commencement matter.

I will make a brief comment before I ask the Leader to respond. I know discussion on the Order of Business was extraordinarily long today. I am giving latitude as I know Members want to contribute and we do not have discussion on the Order of Business every day. That is why we are running over time. I call on the Leader to respond.

I will.

Senator Higgins proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That Report and Final Stages of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 not be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Amendment No. 4 has been ruled out of order as there is a potential charge on the Exchequer. Will the Members who are leaving the Chamber do so quietly?

Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 have been ruled out of order as they form a potential charge on the State.

Amendment No. 8 is also ruled out of order as it is in conflict with the principles of the Bill. Amendment No. 9-----

The reason for that decision is that the purpose of the Bill is to address the severe backlog where there is currently a two-year delay, and if the committee is only set for 12 months, it may not actually clear the backlog for which the core principle of the Bill is-----

Twelve months may not be a long enough time in which to do it and there is a two-year backlog. The amendment must be ruled out of order in accordance with Standing Order 154 as it is in conflict with the principle of the Bill.

Amendment No. 9 in the name of Senators Boyhan, Higgins, Boylan, Gavan, McCallion, Ó Donnghaile and Warfield is also ruled out of order as it involves a potential charge on the Exchequer.