All right. I thank the Senator.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the proposed approval by Seanad Éireann of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2025, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.15 p.m., if not previously concluded, with time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed eight minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, all other Senators not to exceed two minutes each, time may be shared, and the Minister to be g…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis na Seanadóirí go léir as ucht an mhéid atá ráite acu. Senator Fiona O'Loughlin talked about the cancellation of maternity services at Athy Primary Care Centre. I will raise that with the Minister of Health. The Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter on that topic to get a more immediate response. She also talked about the success of the DEIS programme. We will have the Minister for Education and Youth in the House in early June for a debate on all education…

At 9.30 a.m. tomorrow.

The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on driving test waiting times, to be taken at 4.45 p.m. and conclude after one hour, if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed five minutes, the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and the contributions of all other Senators not to exceed two minutes, on which time may be shared, and the Minister to have not less than five minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 2, Private Members'…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. I will start with the common theme that was expressed across the House by Senators Joe Conway, Andrews, Stephenson, Black, Boyhan, O'Donovan, Tully, Harmon, Craughwell, Nicole Ryan, Noonan, Cosgrave, Collins, McDowell and Sarah O'Reilly regarding the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. I requested a debate on Gaza. I did so again this afternoon before the Order of Business. There is a debate on tomorrow, which I understand both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will be attending and a…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, to the Chamber. The Minister of State will have ten minutes, the group spokespersons will have ten minutes and all other Senators will have five minutes.

Senator Fitzpatrick will share time with Senator Daly. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I move to the next speaker, I welcome the students and staff of Skerries Community College who are here this afternoon. They are guests of Deputy Grace Boland. I hope they enjoy the day and learn a lot about our Houses of Parliament. They are all welcome.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. I understand Senator Keogan is sharing time with Senator Mullen. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I commend Senator Keogan and the other Senators on this Bill. It is a very meaningful, well-put-together and well-drafted Bill. I commend her, the others and the team behind this. I know the Minister of State does not sit at Cabinet and, like all Private Members' business and all legislation, Bills such as these go to Cabinet for discussion and decision. That was where the decision was made, and neither I nor I am sure anyone else here is privy to those discussions, or indeed whether there were discussions. I know …

Tomorrow morning at 9.30.

The Order of Business is No. a1, Report of the Committee of Selection, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business without debate; No. 1, motion regarding the appointment of members to the Joint Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community, to be taken on conclusion of No. a1 without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the appointment of members to the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsman, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1 without debate; No. 3, motion regardi…

I thank all Senators for their contributions. It was a day of condolences and congratulations, particularly condolences to the family of Garda Flatley. I would like to join with the Cathaoirleach and Members in expressing my condolences on behalf of the House to the Flatley family on the tragic death of Garda Flatley in the line of duty. As others have said, it is a burden that all Garda families have to carry each day. They all share the hope that their loved ones will return home safely. Our condolences to Garda …

I was on it once and had a Wagon Wheel. That is all I remember. It was some time ago. Senator Andrews proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 11, a Bill to provide for prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person’s socioeconomic disadvantaged background, for those purposes to amend the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000, and to provide for related matters, be taken before No. 1 I am happy to agree to that proposal and I am sure we will debate the Bill at a later date.…

I move: That the Second Report of the Committee of Selection be laid before Seanad Éireann.

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 116 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following members be appointed to the Joint Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community: Senators Joe Conway, Shane Curley, Seán Kyne, Evanne Ní Chuilinn, Nicole Ryan.

I move: That, in pursuance of Standing Order No. 119 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, the following members be appointed to the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen: Senators Chris Andrews, Paraic Brady, Joe Flaherty, Aubrey McCarthy.

I move: That Seanad Éireann, in accordance with section 8(3)(b) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts 2003 to 2024, appoints the ordinary members of the Commission as follows: Senators Robbie Gallagher, Joe O’Reilly.

The Minister of State is welcome. I welcome the Bill. It makes perfect sense. The move to technology is not going to be reversed, but it is important that people have the right to use and be able to access cash in a location as close as possible to their home. During Storm Éowyn when the systems shut down and shops did not have access to tills or credit and debit facilities, cash was the only form of tender that was accepted. It was absolutely vital in those cases that people had access to cash to buy a loaf of bre…