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 Appropriation Bill 2021 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

I am sure the Leader will agree that balanced regional development is extremely important across our country to ensure populations in the west of Ireland are sustained and increased and that the region acts as a counterbalance to Dublin and the east coast. With that in mind, Northern and Western Regional Assembly members met the Taoiseach last Friday regarding several key projects they wish to see progressed. These include the upgrading of the N17, the Galway city ring road and ATU Letterkenny, including the Letter…

Yes. As a point of order, there seems to be unusual interest----

I ask the Leader if we could perhaps sit later tonight or even tomorrow-----

-----or, indeed, Monday or Tuesday of next week?

We are not getting through this important Bill. We have extra time tonight-----

Depending on the diary of the Minister, of course, the House-----

I ask the Leader if we could provide extra time this evening, tomorrow evening and into next Monday-----

This is a very important Bill, which was agreed by the Government at Cabinet.

Or the Chief Whip.

No, the Chief Whip can.

I put forward a proposal before 5 p.m. that the Leader would extend the sitting after the Private Members' business, up to a point that the Minister's diary would allow for. She has kindly agreed to sit here later than 10 p.m. or even 10.30 p.m. In the absence of the Leader, I ask the Government Chief Whip to get confirmation from the Leader as to whether she will accept that proposal and whether she is agreeable to it. If she is not, she is not. I ask the Government Chief Whip to engage with the Leader,-----

-----by modern communications methods if she is not available in the House, via text, WhatsApp or phone call, and ascertain whether she is available to come here and allow the House to sit. The Minister for Justice is here and is willing to sit past 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 10.30 p.m. or 11 p.m., and even tomorrow evening or Monday. I ask the Government Chief Whip to check with the Leader of the House whether that is in order.

On a point of order, have we ascertained who is in charge here? Have we ascertained whom the Leader appointed to act in her place?

The Cathaoirleach is the Chair but who has the Leader appointed to run the business and make decisions? Proposals have been made to sit past 8 p.m. Who is here to make that decision? There is nobody here. Where is the Leader?

The Cathaoirleach stated that the Leader has to appoint somebody so who has the Leader appointed?

Who has the Leader appointed?

Who has the Leader appointed to make the decision? Proposals were made.