Deputy Ó Cathasaigh is indicating. Ar aghaidh leat ar son na hÉireann.

We know that.

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and the Minister of State for being here to deal with it.

The final Topical Issue matter comes from Deputy Ó Cathasaigh, who wishes to discuss upland burning and land management practice, which are very topical issues. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, for being here to deal with the matter.

Before proceeding to the Employment Equality (Pay Transparency) Bill 2022, I must inform the House that, earlier this afternoon, I received a request from the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, to make a personal statement pursuant to Standing Order 56 in relation to a particular planning matter. I understand the Minister of State is here to do that now.

I thank Deputy Mitchell. The fact of the matter is that a request under Standing Order 56 has nothing whatsoever to do with the Business Committee. It is none of its business. It is a matter for whoever occupies the Chair. We did not receive the request until this afternoon and the Business Committee was well over. When I made the decision that we would facilitate the statement, I instructed the secretariat to inform the members of the Business Committee. Indeed, all the Members of the House may have been advised, …

On behalf of everyone here, I congratulate Deputy Cairns on her elevation. I do not know whether it is in order this morning to describe her as the new leader of the Social Democrats. This is her first Leaders' Questions in that capacity.

The Deputy's time is up.

I call the leader of Aontú, Deputy Tóibín.

Deputy, please. You are over time.

No, we cannot go back on it.

Deputy Leddin is not here. I call Deputy Daly.

So say all of us

Good. I thank Members.

Before I ask the Minister to respond, I ask Members to extend a warm céad míle fáilte to a large and very welcome delegation from Malta, which has joined us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. The delegation is led by H.E. Dr. George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta, and they are accompanied by somebody well known to us, H.E. Mr. Giovanni Buttigieg. We hope you enjoy your visit. We are privileged to have you. We are discussing legislation on lobbying and, as the delegation can see, it has not attracted …

I assure Members that this will be a subject of discussion at the next meeting of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, and I take the point the Minister makes.

I must now deal with a postponed division relating to amendment No. 1 to the Second Reading motion on the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021. On Thursday, 23 February 2023, on the question, "That the amendment be made”, a division was claimed. That division will be taken now.

The Bill will be read a Second Time this day 18 months from now.

I must now deal with a postponed division relating to amendment No. 1 to the motion regarding the National Ambulance Service. On Tuesday, 28 February 2023, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 80(2), that division must be taken now.

Before calling the Taoiseach to reply, I ask Members to join me in extending a céad míle fáilte to the members of a delegation from the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, who have joined us in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. The delegation is led by my counterpart, H.E. Mr. Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova; and is accompanied by someone who is very well known to us, H.E. Ms Larisa Micule, ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Ireland. They are most welcome.