Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Fifth Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Dáil Éireann passed the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Bill 2020 on 30 July 2020, to which the agreement of Seanad Éireann is desired. Dáil Éireann also passed the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020 on 30 July 2020, without amendment. Dáil Éireann has also passed the Civil Law and Criminal Liability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 on 30 July 2020, without amendment.

I thank everybody for being here this morning. I thank the ushers and cleaning and catering staff for their extraordinary work in these extraordinary times. I also thank the Clerk, Mr. Martin Groves, and Ms Bridget Doody, who do extraordinary work behind the scenes in the Seanad office, getting all amendments, legislation and other business ready each morning. I know the process now as I see it from my new position and it goes late into the night. Senator Paddy Burke knows this from his time in the Chair. I also th…

The Senator does not want vote slippage.

I will look into that matter and thank the Senator for his suggestion.

Under Standing Orders the Senator is not allowed mention anyone in the Lower House.

If there are, you are one of them.

Come to Kerry, Jerry. For the benefit of Members who might see people arriving later but speaking earlier than they do, there is a specific rota for speaking slots. I know it looks a bit unfair at times but it has been decided by leaders of groups. Senator Vincent P. Martin is the representative for the Green Party today. He will get three minutes. That is democracy and these are the rules. As in all parliamentary chambers, everybody should be afforded the opportunity to speak while abiding by the rules.

I allowed the Senator drift on because of his wholesome praise. It is true, of course, which is why I did not want to cut him off. As the Senator points out, his will be the final praise handed out.

Before we agree the Order of Business, I thank Senator McGreehan for sharing her story with us. I know it is not an easy thing to do but it gives people courage. She has gone through a huge trauma and I hope other women take comfort from her championing their cause here.

I will explain the rules with regard to how much time speakers are allowed. If Senator Higgins wants to intervene, she must ask the Senator. If he agrees, she can speak for 30 seconds, but she must ask.

She has contravened Standing Orders.

To make Members aware, the rules of the House are that Senators may only make one contribution. On Committee Stage Senators may intervene until the cows come home but they are not coming home yet. The Minister of State has possession and Senators are not allowed to intervene and interrupt him.

Before I put the question to the House, I have a note of information for the House relating to a substitute numbered list that was circulated. There was an incorrect line reference in amendments Nos. 2 and 11. Much of this was due to the circulation of the Bill late last night. We got it from the Dáil. The Clerk of the Seanad, the Clerk Assistant and the staff were working late last night to ensure that the legislation was ready today. However, because of the number of amendments and the late hour at which we recei…

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, 39 and 40 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.