When is it proposed to take Report Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Just questions, Senator Boyhan.

Amendments Nos. 13, 173, 179, 181, 206, 218 and 256 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Are there any more contributions?

Amendments Nos. 15 to 17, inclusive, are related. Amendment No. 16 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 15. Amendments Nos. 15 to 17, inclusive, may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Minister of State is going to stay with us for the next Commence matter, which is from Senator Sarah O'Reilly.

I welcome Deputy Tony McCormack and his guests to Seanad Éireann. They are most welcome.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Nicole Ryan - The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on funding for the improvement of train services and fare access for students travelling from north Cork to Cork city. Senator Joe Conway - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the provision of the shingles vaccination free of charge to all persons over 65. Senator Alison Comyn - The need for the Minister for Jus…

The Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, is most welcome to Seanad Éireann this morning. The first Commencement matter is from Senator Nicole Ryan. The Senator submitted it previously but the answer provided by the Department did not even address one of the matters raised in the question. I have used the rules of the Seanad to allow this Commencement matter to come back in again.

I thank the Minister of State. We will be taking this Commencement matter again. This will be the third time I have had to pick this Commencement matter. It is not because of the Senator or the question; it affects all Senators. I will read out the full question: the need for the Minister for Transport to extend Leap card fares access and improve train service for students travelling from north Cork, including Banteer and Millstreet, to Cork city. The reply does not mention Banteer or Millstreet. It mentions Cobh a…

I welcome Deputy Cleere and Tom Dalton from Boolyglass, on the latter's 70th birthday, to the Seanad. Before the Order of Business, I unfortunately must inform the House of the death of a former Member who passed away suddenly, the former Minister of State, Donal Carey from Clarecastle in County Clare. He was educated at St. Flannan's College and University College Dublin. He had a committed life of public service since 1974 when he was elected to Clare County Council, topping the poll as a Fine Gael candidate. He …

We have graduates from Tiglin, Brendan Hurson and Emmet McCarthy, here with us. I thank them for being here. I am sure Senator McCarthy will have some words for you.

I join Senator McCarthy in congratulating our two guests on their great achievements. I thank the Senator for all his great work in that area.

A copy of the resolution of the House will be sent to the family of the late Senator, TD, and Minister of State. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Senator Tully is in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery along with Oisin Bogue from Cavan. He is experiencing the political process first hand. I thank Oisin for being here all the way from Cavan.

Are you sharing time, Deputy Murphy?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Minister of State has indicated that he wishes to come in at this stage.

A Uachtarán Zelenskyy, a Cheann Comhairle agus a dhaoine uaisle, President Zelenskyy, Ceann Comhairle and distinguished guests, on behalf of Members of both Houses and on my own behalf, I thank you for being here today at the heart of our democracy, and for the address delivered to this joint sitting of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. In 2022, when I had the privilege of giving the closing remarks to your online address to these Houses, I said that as we sat here in Dublin, missiles and bombs were descending on th…