The Senator should not listen.

The Minister of State is welcome. Sinn Féin does not oppose the technical amendments as outlined. We have an amendment of our own, of which the Minister of State will be aware. I was not party to the debate on previous Stages, so I will look to the Cathaoirleach to keep me right in terms of when my amendment is coming up so that I might speak to it. In the broadest sense possible, this is important legislation for all of the reasons that Senator Bacik outlined and more. We are seeking to approach our amendment in a…

I move amendment No. 7: In page 32, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 36 of Act of 2005 29. Section 36 of the Act of 2005 is amended, in subsection (1), by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (a): “(a) within one year after the board’s establishment day, or within one year of the enactment of this Act if the registration board was established prior to the enactment of this Act, establish a register of members of that profession.”.”. This amendment is self-…

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. In many ways, we are on the same page in what we are seeking to do. I take her point that this needs to be handled professionally and that we need to ensure the fullest rigour regarding public health and safety and people's well-being, but we are now at a point where we have to act to achieve that. With this amendment, we could add impetus to bring about the necessary change at a critical time when so many people need to avail of a variety of services. I…

I wish to congratulate the Minister of State and wish the legislation well as it passes its next steps. I wish to echo the words of thanks and commendation for all those working in the Department, particularly those working on the front line of our healthcare services. It is a challenging time, but I know this Chamber stands ready to assist in all efforts to help the Department and all those working on the front line.

A Chathaoirligh-----

On a point of order, a Chathaoirligh-----

Surely I can raise a point of order.

You have to take a point of order.

As I understand it, and you could advise me, a Chathaoirligh, as a point of order-----

Not on a point of order. I am entitled to raise a point of order.

So nobody is allowed to raise a point of order any more.

The Cathaoirleach stated in his remarks to us that this is a special sitting of the Seanad. The point I want to make is that it should not be. It should have been the business as scheduled and presented to Members at the end of last week. I do not know where this issue of not agreeing to the two days sitting is emanating from. I was asked as leader of the Sinn Féin group and gave our consent to the proposal as outlined by the Leader. I think it is a fair accommodation. In his address to us before the Order of Busin…

In terms of the Order of Business, perhaps the Cathaoirleach could advise me. I think part of his role is to advise and protect us in terms of our entitlements to ask questions and get guidance. I have flagged consistently over the past couple of weeks, as I am sure all Members will acknowledge, that the consistent approach of rushing all Stages of a Bill, and sometimes two Bills, through the Seanad in one day is not good practice and should be a cause of deep concern for Members. It is not a good way to do busines…

We have an Order of Business. We have Standing Orders. As I understand it, those Standing Orders give the Cathaoirleach ultimate discretion in terms of how the protocols and procedures of this House operate.

I do not think any of this has precedence, to be honest. There is no precedent for any of it.

I will say this. I have made my point. I am deeply concerned that, when we look at the approach in the round, we can see we have gone from being called back early and having three-day sittings, to having a two-day sitting and now to having a one-day sitting with one item. That does not bode well.

It should not have been a special sitting. That is the point. I know of the Cathaoirleach's interest in the issue of Brexit and our collective well-being and future. The members of the British Government are on their feet in their parliament telling us that they are going to break international law.

We are being told that we cannot come to this Chamber and talk about that matter.

It should be an issue for the Order of Business. That is the point.