The debate has been useful and worthwhile, as well as comprehensive. Within the time available to me, I will not be able to recap everything that has been said. I thank Members and the Minister of State for their contributions. I also thank them for their support because this is an important issue. I do not say this in a combative way, but in campaigning since 2016 for a passport office in the North, to my great regret in many ways I have become the passport office in the North. I am acutely familiar with the probl…

The other point is that the Minister of State referred to the business case for an office in the North not stacking up. I do not hear very often Ministers coming in here and citing business cases when motions, Commencement matters or other requests are being made seeking particular investment. I would be keen, therefore, to know if the business case has been carried out and, if it has, could we please be furnished with that business case? I would very much like to see it given that it has been cited today. In that …

He is learning quickly.

Hear, hear.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim buíochas leis as a bheith linn do na ráitis seo ar chúrsaí cosanta. The Acting Chairperson is being very patient with the insubordination of Members today. Fair play to him. I will try my best to stay within my eight-minute limit. The Minister knows that Sinn Féin has welcomed the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. We believe that the report gives long overdue consideration to the under-resourcing of the Defence Forces by successive Governments. It is absolutely…

I also want to give my regards to the German ambassador and acknowledge the importance of Germany's national day. Through him, I also thank the German Government and the German people for the important and steadfast support for the Good Friday Agreement and our peace process after the fallout from Brexit. It has been key, along with the support member states across the EU. I am sure we can continue to learn from and engage with the German people and the German experience as we journey towards our own reunification …

I second that amendment.

Just wait.

Let me just count my pages.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach will be glad to hear that I will not use it all-----

-----but I do want to get some of this on the record. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith linn. Tá fáilte roimhe. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Bill. As the Minister of State knows, Sinn Féin supported the Bill's passage through the Dáil and we will support its passage through the Seanad as well. The purpose of this Bill is to facilitate the State's participation in the International Monetary Fund's NAB and to streamline procedures for contributing to IMF…

We all wish that Senator Seery Kearney could speak for a bit longer, but this is one of those debates that is of great use and great importance. It is one that is particularly relevant at the time we are in. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht a bheith linn agus páirt a ghlacadh sa dhíospóireacht thábhachtach seo. Tá an ceart againn é a phlé agus tá sé fiúntach mar dhíospóireacht. Molaim an grúpa Neamhspleách as an rún a chur os ár gcomhair anocht. Unfortunately, I do not think that it is a stretch to say t…

No, the Leas-Chathaoirleach is very good. Much like Senator Seery Kearney, I wish I had more time. I will close by saying that a generation is facing massive cost-of-living challenges that will have long-lasting impacts on their education, careers and mental health. We can do much better and we can do much more. I thank my Independent colleagues for bringing this motion.

I am glad to hear Jason McCarthy will be okay. We have to absorb the budget details but I wonder how much additional money, if any, has been allocated towards ambulance services. It is maybe worth looking at and making the case for over the coming period. It is a great shame if that has not been done. We will have statements on the budget later this evening so I will resist the urge to turn the Order of Business into statements on the budget, which I am sure the Leader will be glad to hear. This Saturday will see a…

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear. Well done.

That is scandalous.

Hear, hear.

Well said.

I want to reflect on some of the statistics released today from last year's census in the North. There is a substantial amount of detail to get through. No doubt I will reflect on some of it in the coming weeks. No one can deny the significant symbolism of the details released today. It also shows that we are living in a changed and changing society. In the first instance this tells us in a very obvious and stark way that we need to prepare for further change. We need to do so in an inclusive, positive and progress…