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 Teresa Costello - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the mechanisms in place for local authorities and approved housing bodies to deal with recurring breaches of tenancy agreements by tenants. Senator Lynn Ruane - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review housing legislation to ensure children do not have to attend …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, to the House. He is most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

Before the Leader proposes the Order of Business, I welcome the ambassador of Romania to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery along with members of the staff form the embassy here. We are marking Romania's national day. Our Leas-Chathaoirleach is also chair of the friendship group between Ireland and Romania. I welcome them here in advance of their national day. On 1 December 1918, Romania took its first steps towards statehood, had a national assembly in Alba Iulia - I think that is the city - and proclaimed the uni…

We join with the Senator in expressing our sympathies to the family and friends of the former Minister of State and Deputy.

Before I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business, I welcome the guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, to the Gallery. I believe there are guests from the United States here as well.

I welcome Deputy Noel McCarthy to the Gallery. I thank him for coming with his guest to Seanad Éireann today.

I welcome Deputy John Paul O'Shea and his guests to the Gallery. I am sure they are from somewhere in Cork North-West. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

I welcome Councillor Sarah Kiely from Limerick to the Gallery. She is most welcome here today.

I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the Bolton Street class of 1991 to 1994. If Members want to know any secrets from my days in college, they are the people to ask. Thankfully, there was no social media back then so absolutely nothing happened and everything is a rumour and hearsay. They will be in the bar later and if Members want to hear about my time as the class representative, and there was some issue about calculators, though I cannot remember the details, they will tell them all about it.

When is it proposed to sit again?

I have to inform the House that a letter dated 20 November 2025 has been received from the Secretary to the Government regarding the resignation and appointment of members of the Government and the appointment of Ministers of State. The letter will be recorded in the Journal of the House. I congratulate all those Ministers who were appointed.

I have to inform the House that a letter dated 20 November 2025 has been received from the Secretary to the Government regarding the resignation and appointment of members of the Government and the appointment of Ministers of State. The letter will be recorded in the Journal of the House. I congratulate all those Ministers who were appointed. I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Alice-Mary Higgins - The need for the Minister for Culture, Commun…

There is a slight change in the running order, so the first Commencement matter will be from Senator Gareth Scahill.

Before I call Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, I welcome Sonya Stokes, Shaneda Daly and Leona O'Callaghan, three amazing women who are guests of Senator Maria McCormack. I believe we also have guests here of Senator O'Loughlin from Network Ireland. They are most welcome.

I welcome Deputy Pádraig Rice and his guests to the Gallery. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. Just so they know, people wearing school uniforms always deserve to have no homework for the rest of the week. We can do that in the Seanad; I do not think they can do it in the Dáil. I thank the Deputy for being here.

I thank the Minister of State for joining us in Seanad Éireann today and thank all those who spoke on the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025. When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I read out the list of Commencement matters, I welcome Caroline, the sister of Senator Manus Boyle, her husband, John Denney, and their daughters Shannon and Kaythlin. I hope the Senator has always been a very good uncle, namely good in the context of confirmation and first communion and, in particular, at Christmas. Caroline, I hope Manus has always been a good brother. I am sure he has. He is a very hard-working Senator. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins. I will read now read out the lis…