To clarify, it was the Leas-Chathaoirleach's mistake to call me. It was certainly not mine. The Senator certainly had plenty to say. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, to the House. He is a regular visitor. We are living in extraordinary times with considerable challenges. The Government needed to deliver a budget to match these times and I am delighted to say it has done so. The healthcare plan is especially welcome, with 430,000 more people becoming eligible for free GP care next year. For the first…

I welcome the UK ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Paul Johnston, and his colleague, Mr. Jeremy Wilmshurst, to the House and share with them our condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her visit to Ireland in 2011 was a significant moment in the history of our countries and will long be remembered. That visit was a success in no small part thanks to the warmth and grace displayed by Queen Elizabeth II. We remember the visit as we offer our support and condolences to all those who are mourning her passing. I wish…

I welcome the Minister back into the House. I thank Senator Warfield for his continued work over the past number of months. The night-time economy is an important part of our economy. It supports tens of thousands of jobs throughout the country. The vast majority of it is made up of SMEs. As we are all aware, SMEs are the backbone of the Irish economy. The industry is coming out of the toughest couple of years it has ever encountered. Many sectors were hit hard by Covid-19 but none more so than the night-time econo…

I propose the suspension.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the Chamber. I would like him to outline the situation regarding bars and pubs throughout the country. As background, over the past two decades before the Covid-19 pandemic, 1,500 pubs closed and hundreds more have followed during the pandemic. The vast majority of the pub industry comprises independent pubs, small businesses and family-run operations. Pubs do not merely serve their local communities but are a major factor in our tourism success, as has been reflected in all …

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy English, for his detailed response. He indicated that there are only 200 fewer licences, but as he alluded to, it is unclear as to whether that figure is accurate on the ground. I ask him if his Department could furnish me with the details when they are available later in the year. In terms of the staff shortage crisis, could he advise if the Department will reduce the red tape associated with the visa process for non-EU citizens? That is something that could be looked at. From…

The Minister of State referred to the retirement of Padraig Cribben. He gave great service to the Vintners Federation of Ireland and I wish him well in his retirement. He played a significant role in helping publicans across the country. I wish Paul Clancy well in his new chief executive role.

I welcome the Minister of State. This has been going on for some months. Some points have been made but I wish to highlight additional information and facts. Going back a little before we go forward, the national lottery licence was sold in 2013 for 20 years. It was sold in the context of the market conditions at the time. Since then, it was changed from 45 numbers to 47, further reducing the chance to win. The addition of two numbers meant that the odds of picking all six numbers reduced from 8 million to one to 1…

Now.

May I speak?

My understanding is that we could speak.

I will speak to the Bill.

I just want to make a couple of valid points. Naturally, I thank the Minister of State for his continuous presence here over the past number of evenings. As the Acting Chair outlined, I want to speak to the Bill and Senator Casey will speak as well. Many Senators have outlined that throughout the progress of the Bill we have expressed concerns about the impact this will have on small businesses, particularly those in hospitality and customer-facing sectors. Hospitality and retail are the most obvious examples where…

Now.

I wish to welcome Deputy Cathal Crowe and the students of the Killaloe Boys National School, who are finishing sixth class tomorrow and moving on to big school. I also welcome their teachers, Mary, Frances and Cathal. I hope they enjoy the day. No doubt, Deputy Crowe will look after our guests. I hope the students get plenty of treats and a few ice creams. Today I wish to raise the issue of the childcare sector. As many other Members did, I had the opportunity to meet with childcare providers yesterday. Having done…

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the order of Seanad Éireann of today, the proceedings on No. 3, the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022, shall commence at 2.30 p.m. and the House shall now suspend until 2.30 p.m.

I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for taking this very important matter. Before I get on to it I acknowledge the Glendalough man who is in the Chair. It is a role that would be very suitable for him in the future but I am sure it is the Lower House he is interested in.

I will leave it between ye. Moving on to a more serious matter, I refer to the need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in respect of the review of structures within An Garda Síochána with particular reference to the proposed amalgamation of superintendent roles in Galway and west Galway and the extent to which this may impact negatively on the Government policy of providing increased funding to ensure the deployment of appro…

I thank the Minister for his detailed response. I welcome the information on the four different areas and that an assistant principal will be appointed to the business services area. I take it that will lead to more gardaí on the ground because there will be civilian staff across that section. That is welcome and it is a road we need to travel further down because, no more than any other city or county, there is a huge shortage of gardaí all over the country and particularly in Galway city, even though we have incr…

Can I be emailed the response on that later from the Seanad Office?