Leis sin, tá gach rud ráite. The bells will ring for six minutes and the doors will be closed after a further four minutes. The Clerk will proceed to conduct the division by roll call. When each Member's name is called, the Member is requested to stand in his or her place to cast the vote. The microphone switching is controlled centrally and Members are therefore asked to wait until the light on the microphone is on before casting a vote.

I declare Deputy Micheál Martin to have been nominated by Dáil Éireann for appointment by the President to be Taoiseach. Before calling on Deputy Martin to address the House, on behalf of the entire Oireachtas community I want to thank the outgoing Taoiseach, his Government and his team for the enormity of the service they have given to the country since 2016. They have had many successes, not least concerning Brexit and Covid-19. We acknowledge the fact that today is a momentous event and occasion for Deputy Marti…

Go raibh maith agat, a Thaoisigh. It is proposed that the sitting be suspended until 6 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed. I ask Members to remain in their seats while the Taoiseach is escorted from the auditorium. After he has left, Members may then vacate the auditorium block by block, as directed by the parliamentary ushers. I ask them to keep their social distance as they do so.

I ask Members to take their designated seats. We await the arrival of the Taoiseach and the members of the new Government, who will be joining us imminently. I call on the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Dara Calleary, to propose the arrangements for this evening's business.

I call on the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, to confirm his appointment by the President as Taoiseach and to move the motion.

I take it the arrangements set out by the Government Chief Whip are acceptable to the House. Are they agreed? Agreed. I call the spokesperson for Fine Gael to address the House.

Anois, is é sin deireadh leis an díospóireacht mar gheall ar ainmniúchán Comhaltaí den Rialtas. Tá orm an cheist a chur anois: "That Dáil Éireann approves the nomination by the Taoiseach for appointment by the President to be members of the Government." Members should be aware that the division bells will ring for six minutes and the doors will be closed after a further four minutes. Before proceeding to this division, it would be appropriate to express our thanks to our Superintendent, Ms Teresa Doolan, the Captai…

The nomination by the Taoiseach for appointment by the President to be members of the Government has therefore been agreed by the Dáil. Tá gnó an lae inniu tagtha chun deiridh agus de bhun Rún an Tí, Dé Céadaoin, tá an Dáil ar athló go dtí meánlae, an Mháirt seo chugainn. Go raibh míle maith agaibh. I ask Members to remain in their seats while the nominated members of the Government are escorted from the auditorium. Members may then vacate the auditorium block by block as directed by the parliamentary ushers. I thi…

In light of last week's tragic, untimely and unexpected death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, it is considered appropriate that, with the agreement of the House, we would hear expressions of sympathy today. Is that agreed? Agreed. I ask Members to confine their remarks to three minutes.

Members have described an exceptionally fine and outstanding member of An Garda Síochána, a person who was the essence of what a policeman should be, someone who is a shining star for young recruits to emulate and who, outside his professional role, demonstrated himself to be a profoundly decent human being. Let us now be upstanding for a minute as a mark of respect.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

We now move to Nos. 6 and 7, motion regarding Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and motion re the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. In accordance with the Standing Order of the Dáil of Wednesday, 17 June, the first motion will be moved, the two motions will be discussed together, and then the two motions and any amendments thereto will be decided on separately. I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, to move the first of the two motions.

Deputy Martin Kenny is sharing time with Deputy Daly.

I call Deputy Bríd Smith, who is sharing time with Deputy Paul Murphy.

We move to Deputy McNamara who is sharing with Deputy Pringle, or vice versa .

I imagine the Deputy can move it, as it is an amendment to a separate element. If that is technically incorrect, we can come back.

The Deputy has already.

I thank the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy. The Minister has five minutes to respond.

We must move now to consider amendment No. 3 in the name of Deputy Martin Kenny. How stands that amendment?