As well as wishing everybody a happy Christmas and all the best in 2025, I welcome H.E. Ms Kara Owen, the Ambassdor of the United Kingdom to Ireland. The ambassador is most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. We are delighted to have her in here on this, our last day before the recess. Before we get into 2026, we look forward to working with the ambassador in relation to sustaining the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement, which was only made possible through the great collaboration between the British and Iris…

As the Leader of the House is here, I ask him to say a few words of welcome to the ambassador.

I call the first speaker for this debate, an Seanadóir Davitt.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for all her help and co-operation throughout the year as well.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. Amendments Nos. 37 and 38 are related. Amendment No. 38 is a physical alternative amendment No. 37. The amendments may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 38 is out of order.

Amendments Nos 39 to 41, inclusive, are out of order due to a potential charge on the Revenue.

In regard to amendment No. 39, the ruling is under Seanad Standing Order 42. The Standing Order of the Seanad is in relation to Bills and amendments that involve charges. I will read into the record Standing Order 42. It states: An amendment to a Bill, which could have the effect of imposing or increasing a charge upon the people or upon the revenue, may not be moved save by way of Government amendment. Amendment No. 39 deleted the clause "in so far as is practicable" from section 10(1)(d), which provides that a gu…

Again, that relates to Standing Order 42 of the Seanad, which I have read out. Amendment No. 40 provided that a child could not be placed in an adult unit for more than 72 hours before being transferred to an age-appropriate environment in close proximity to their home. The restriction of use of adult facilities could give rise to a charge on the Revenue as the State would be required to provide increased availability of age-appropriate centres across the country. Again, I go back to the point on the issue of Stand…

Before I call other Senators, people in the Visitors Gallery must not talk during the debate.

Please. It is Senators only who contribute in this room. Everybody else is a guest and must comply with the rules of the House.

Before I read out the question, I remind visitors to the Gallery that the only people allowed to speak in this Chamber are Members of the Seanad and the Ministers who are here to take the legislation. If there are further contributions from the Gallery, they will be removed.

I welcome Scoil Mhuire from Trim in County Meath, guests of Deputy Dempsey. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. One of the protocols of Seanad Éireann is there is no homework for the rest of the week. Make sure you tell your teacher that.

It is Christmas so there is no homework for the rest of the year.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of additional funding for local and regional roads in the Cavan and Monaghan area. Senator Chris Andrews - The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to make a statement on the omnibus package negotiations. Senator Eileen Lynch - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Her…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, to Seanad Éireann and thank him for coming in.

Before I call on the next speaker I welcome pupils from Clonegal National School in County Carlow who are guests of Deputy Catherine Callaghan. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and they will have no homework for the rest of the year. I think that is the new ruling.

Now we are joined by staff and pupils from St. Brigid's National School in Clonegal, County Carlow. I was wondering why our other visitors looked so bemused. Our visitors are wearing the Carlow colours and are very welcome. They are guests of Deputy Catherine Callaghan. If they bump into the visitors from the other school, please apologise to them for the mix-up. The pupils from St. Brigid's are most welcome. I love the Carlow colours in their school uniform. As we said to the other school, there will be no homewor…

I welcome the guest of Senator McCarthy, Gillian McCutcheon from Tiglin. She is most welcome.

Before I call the next speakers, I welcome to the Gallery Deputy Noel McCarthy and his guests from Fermoy in County Cork.