The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 28 July 2020, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Bill 2020 - all Stages, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude after two hours by the putting of one question from the Chair, which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, the time allocated to the group spokespersons i…

I wish to acknowledge the Irish giving spirit Senator Craughwell has talked about because it extends to many more groups of people and communities than just the veterans he referred to. We cannot acknowledge it enough. It is inherent in all of our DNA. We are a very giving people. Irish communities and societies are a great example of what we can do when we work together. I will briefly go through some of the things that have been asked of me. The first thing is to say I gladly accept Senator McDowell's amendment. …

It is the single biggest investment in Irish people we have ever seen in the history of the State. There is an important role for Opposition to point out the flaws, but it would be lovely if just for once, in a sign of solidarity, the Opposition recognised that the State in all of its forms has an obligation to support every citizen in this country and yesterday's significant announcement was an important second step in that role. We had the first step in March and April, we had the second step yesterday and, hopef…

Absolutely.

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Standing Orders relative to Public Business: (1) the Seanad shall meet in the Dáil Chamber at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 28th July, 2020, and the following arrangements shall apply: (a) Standing Order 30 shall stand suspended; (b) there shall be no Order of Business; (c) the business to be taken shall be confined to the items set out in the Schedule to this paragraph and, accordingly, no other business shall be taken unless the Seanad shall otherwise order on motion made by…

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the restoration of Bills to the Order Paper, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, proposed opt-in under Protocol No. 21 to EU Regulation 2017/1954 amending Regulation 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, motion re Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2020 - Instruction to Committee – to be taken on the conclusion…

Hear, hear.

In the first instance I accept Senator Murphy's recommendation that the House should have a minute's silence, as a sign of respect not only for the passing of Ruth Morrissey but also for Dr. Ali and his wonderful family, in particular his younger daughter whose very moving words we heard yesterday. I suggest we do it first thing on the Order of Business tomorrow when perhaps there is a full Chamber. If that is agreeable to Members we can put it on the Order of Business tomorrow. On Senator Boyhan's point, there is …

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 169 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the Bills which lapsed by reason of the Seanad General Election, March 2020, and are set out in the Schedule to this motion, shall be restored to the Order Paper at the stage specified in the Schedule below:

I move: That Seanad Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measure: Regulation (EU) 2017/1954 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25th October 2017 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format …

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, and subject to its passage at second stage, it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole Seanad, in relation to the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2020, that the Committee has power to make amendments to the Bill for the purpose of amending section 3A of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act 1998 in relation to allowances payable to certain Ministers of State; and …

Now.

Now.

I move: That pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Now.

Now.

Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

Very well spoken. The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding a report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on the amendment of Standing Order 145, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Order of Business to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1 without debate; and No. 3, National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020, all Stages to be taken at 12.15 p.m., with the time allocated to group spokespers…

Before I turn to individual queries, I want to let the House know that several debates have been secured, the most important one now, I think, involving the Minister for Education and Skills on Tuesday, 28 July. The original debate was sought to discuss the reopening of our primary and secondary schools and the school transport issue. Considering the announcements made yesterday, however, regarding the unfortunate delay in the leaving certificate results for our students, questions on that issue might now need to b…

I move: "That the report be adopted, laid before the House and printed."