I thank the Cathaoirleach. It is wonderful to be able to say that to Senator Buttimer. We have had a very interesting couple of years in the Seanad. This is my first time in the Seanad and sometimes when I was getting the train up from Galway, I was the only person in the carriage. We had a really unique experience over the last couple of years and we are almost like a family in here. We have got to know each other very well. I met very few people other than Senators and my immediate family over that period. In tha…

Senator Buttimer is one of us, regardless of who "us" is, which is possibly the best thing that can be said about somebody. Now that he has taken the Chair, I know he will perform the role in an unbiased way. I would not trust everybody to do the job fairly but I trust Senator Buttimer to do so and I really look forward to working with him. I also want to pay tribute to the former Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, who also has a vivaciousness about him, as described by Senator Joe O'Reilly. I have got to know Senat…

I again congratulate the Cathaoirleach. I will speak briefly about two gentlemen who I like and will continue to like and admire a lot: Senators Joe O'Reilly and Mark Daly. Senator Joe O'Reilly and I got to know each other very well over recent years. He is one of the most intelligent and eloquent people I have ever come across, but he is also really good fun. One always ends up smiling and laughing when in a conversation with him because of his kindness and of how witty he is. We will continue to share such conver…

I welcome the Minister to the House. This is an important day. We are seeing the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 coming through the Seanad. Most people will know my passionate interest in supporting breastfeeding in Ireland, as the Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Gender Equality and co-convener of a new subcommittee of the Women's Caucus on breastfeeding. As the Minister rightly pointed out, the breastfeeding breaks did not really suit anyone. Few people would go back to work before si…

I thank the Senator.

I rang it twice.

I welcome the Minister of State.

I thank the Minister of State for her time.

I remind Senators that this item of business must conclude at 3.45 p.m., if not previously concluded. Before we commence, I also remind the House that a Senator may speak only once on Report Stage, except for the proposer of a recommendation who may reply to the discussion on the recommendation. On Report Stage, each recommendation must be seconded.

Recommendations Nos. 3 and 4 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is the Senator pressing the recommendation?

Recommendations Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Taoiseach, former Senators and all of our distinguished guests. To some, Seanad Éireann is familiar, small and almost cosy but I have seen, at close quarters, Ministers and officials squirm as they contend with lengthy debates in our Chamber. I have seen notes being passed from officials to Ministers as, hours into a debate, a Minister takes to his or her feet for the umpteenth time to respond to a cross-examination by Senators on policies or on legislation. Why do they squirm? It is because there is …

I thank the Minister for coming in. It is correct that while I listen to contributions from my colleagues, they are talking about local action. The Minister is passionate about that also. Historic action was taken at COP27 on the negotiation about loss and damage. I could spend my six minutes talking about that. The Minister himself and the public know that Ireland, represented by the Minister, was a part of moving forward on loss and damage for the very poorest nations in the world. We need to remember that. It wa…

I welcome the students from Ardagh National School in County Mayo, who are here with Deputy Dillon, and their principal, Mr. Harte. I hope they have a very good day.

Is the Senator pressing the amendment?

Amendments Nos. 21 and 22 are related and may be discussed by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendment No. 26 has been ruled out of order as it imposes a potential charge on the Exchequer.

Amendment No. 27 has been ruled out of order as it imposes a potential charge on the Exchequer.

Amendments Nos. 29 to 39, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed. Amendments Nos. 30 and 31 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 29. Amendments Nos. 31 to 39, inclusive, are physical alternatives to amendment No. 30. Amendment No. 34 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 33. Amendments Nos. 36 and 37 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 35. Amendment No. 39 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 38. Amendments Nos. 29 to 39, inclusive, are rela…