I ask Senator Andrews to stop.

Senator Andrews, you know the Standing order. The Senator in possession is entitled to continue speaking until the end of their time. I will allow more time because of the interruption.

I thank the Minister and all the Senators for their contributions to this important debate.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on properties acquired since 2020 for international protection accommodation and the extent of any State-owned land used or planned for this purpose. Senator Paraic Brady - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the licensing of firearms. Senator Linda Nelson…

Cuirimid fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. The Minister of State is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Before I call on the first Senator, I welcome guests of Deputy Barry Ward from Probus Dún Laoghaire Marine, including Frank O'Conor, the organiser. They are most welcome. I thank Deputy Ward for bringing them to Seanad Éireann. I call Senator Keogan.

I thank the Deputy Leader and welcome her guests Sam Doyle and Jamie Swail from Newbridge community college. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I call Senator Mike Kennelly.

I welcome to the Gallery guests of Deputy Séamus McGrath from Douglas Young @ Heart who are all here today. I think there are about 32 of them here. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I hope they enjoy the day. I would like to say I am sorry about the football result on Sunday but really I am not. I thank them for showing up in such numbers to Killarney because the people of Kerry appreciate their visits down to Kerry. They spend more money than they should but we are very grateful for that.

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome Senator The Honourable Christopher Sinckler, Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados. He is most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I thank him for being here. I also welcome Ms Donna Forde, director general of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Ms Paula Byer, director of foreign trade, Ms Trecia King, senior foreign service officer, and Ms Kendra Holdip, minister counsellor. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. In 2021, on the day Barbados itself…

On International Nurses Day, we have guests of Deputy Devine who are nurses working in our healthcare system. I thank them and all those who work in our healthcare system, including nurses and those who assist them in their valuable work. My mother and aunt were both nurses. We have great regard for the work that nurses do.

As often happens with Commencement matters, they are routinely ruled out of order because the Ministers have no jurisdiction for those issues. However, I know when Senators engage with the Seanad Office, as many have, they often work in making sure there is a way to have the question answered in a way that is appropriate. I ask the Senator to perhaps engage with the Seanad Office and see if we can get that question committed again in a way that we can ensure an answer. Regardless of the topic, I want to ensure that…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir. I also welcome some extra guests of Deputy Séamus McGrath from Douglas Young @ Heart. I thank them from being here as well. Deputy McGrath is having a great day bringing them around Leinster House.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on when Ireland intends to ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, signed in 2017. Senator Alison Comyn - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the use of pr…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to the House.

Before I call the next speaker, appropriate to the Senator's contribution, I welcome guests of the Minister, Deputy James Lawless, from Kildare North Educate Together National School, to Seanad Éireann. They are most welcome here today. I met them in the corridor earlier and told them we had something for them, and that the rule of the Seanad is no homework for the rest of the week when you visit the Senate. I thank them for coming to visit us. I call Senator Nelson Murray.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and I thank the Senators for being here. Europe Day is 9 May and in the Seanad we take a particular interest in Europe. We celebrate the national days of all of our European Union partners by inviting their ambassadors and representatives from their embassies to the Seanad to mark their national days in the same way as they mark ours. The Minister of State has often attended our EU scrutiny and transparency committee in the Seanad, which is unique in that it loo…

Is that agreed? Agreed.