Before calling on the Minister to respond, I ask Members to join me in offering céad míle fáilte or croeso to our counterparts from the Welsh Senedd, led by Mr. David Rees, Deputy Presiding Officer for the Senedd. I was delighted to meet him on my visit to the Senedd in March. They have a busy programme of meetings with a number of Oireachtas committees. They are all very welcome and we hope the visit proves beneficial.

Thank you Deputy. Time is up now.

I ask Members to abbreviate the questions and the answers, please.

Many heartfelt views were expressed for the Minister of State to respond to.

I thank Minister of State, Deputy James Browne. Is it agreed that the Bill be now read a Second Time?

We welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. When we adjourned, Deputy Richard O'Donoghue was in possession with five minutes remaining. He is no longer with us.

Given the importance of the matter being discussed, I considered it appropriate to allow the Minister of State to go over time in order to respond comprehensively.

Now we go to a Sinn Féin slot. Deputy Pauline Tully is sharing with six of her colleagues, I think.

I welcome you all back. Apologies that the bells did not ring. Members might indulge me for a moment because I am conscious we are facing into an extremely busy parliamentary schedule with a number of very important items of business over the next number of weeks. Before we begin today's session, however, it would be remiss of me as Ceann Comhairle not to make a few remarks on the issue of the Leinster House bicycle shelter - the infamous shelter - the cost of which has been rightly criticised since it was disclose…

I will now take Leaders' Questions under Standing Order 36. It is my pleasure to call Deputy McDonald.

Can we have order now, please?

Please, Deputy.

I thank the Taoiseach. Last and by no means least, I call Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice on behalf of the Independent Group.

Thank you, Deputy.

I wish to announce for the information of the House that I received a letter of resignation on 27 August 2024 from Joe Carey, a member of Dáil Éireann for the constituency of Clare. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 230, the resignation took effect upon receipt of the letter. I am sure we all want to join in extending our very best wishes to Joe, who has had some significant health issues, and his family in the challenges that lie ahead. He was a great colleague and a good friend to many people he…

Is that agreed?

Are the proposed arrangements for the week's business agreed? Agreed.

Yes, Deputy.

All right, Deputy. There are security measures in place because of threatened protest outside. We did not want to see happening today what happened on our return last September. The Superintendent circulated to every Member the details of how access could be achieved. I accept that it is problematic for Members and I am quite prepared to talk to them offline about how we might improve matters. On Questions on Policy or Legislation, I call the leader of Sinn Féin, Deputy McDonald.

Next is Deputy Whitmore. She is welcome back.