Thank you, Senator.

Thank you, Senator.

Senator Higgins, you are aware of the Standing Order that if you want to interrupt somebody in possession, you can only do so with their permission.

Senator Blaney to continue.

Senator Higgins, please-----

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Dáil Éireann has agreed, on 9 July 2025, to the amendments made by Seanad Éireann to the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024. 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 Cathal Byrne - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a statement on the provisions in place for controlled burning on mountains throughout the country, with regard to land management and reducing the risk of wildfire during the dry periods of weather. Senator Gareth Scahill - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a statement o…

I thank the Minister for coming to the House.

I thank the Minister for coming to Seanad Éireann to answer those questions. We will now be joined by the Minister of State, Deputy Jerry Buttimer, for the next Commencement matter.

Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome guests of Deputies Michael Fitzmaurice and Ciarán Ahern. They are most welcome. I also welcome guests of Deputy John Connolly and Senator Ollie Crowe: Ms Fiona Frain, Mr. Eoghan Frain and Mr. Tom King. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann and I thank them for being here today. I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business.

I welcome the guests, from Carlow-Kilkenny, of Deputy Catherine Callaghan. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. I thank them for being with us today.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Gallery guests of Deputy O'Donoghue from County Limerick. I welcome Tom and Catherine Lyons and Vicky, Alex, Daniel and Lily, who are from Ardagh. I believe we also have Deputy Fitzmaurice's wife in the Gallery and she is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. She is hiding in the corner.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome Senator Ollie Crowe's friend Mr. Tom Pender from Galway, as well as Ms Jodie Thompson from Florida in the United States. She is most welcome to Seanad Éireann.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Mark Duffy - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to expand the croí cónaithe cities scheme to include towns of 10,000 persons and over in population and to consider a sliding scale scheme tailored for each market town to support housing regeneration projects. Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on th…

I welcome an Aire Stáit, Deputy O'Donnell, to the Seanad.