Senator, please.

Six more speakers wish to contribute but we have to conclude at 4.37 p.m. to allow the Minister of State to speak for eight minutes. Senators Cassells and Byrne have agreed to share time in the Fianna Fáil slot and they are next. After that it is Senators McGahon, Currie, Dolan, Keogan and Buttimer unless others indicate a wish to contribute. Senators Cassells and Byrne will speak first and then Senator Keogan because there is a ratio of 3:1 but in terms of the Government Opposition it is 2:1.

I suggest that the Senator speaks for only three minutes if she can as I am conscious that the Minister must have an opportunity to contribute.

Senator McGahon is next and I urge him to stick to just two minutes.

I apologise that I cannot give the Senator any longer to speak but we are under pressure of time. I am mindful that there are only six minutes remaining and three Senators wishing to speak.

I apologise again for the time pressures. I am conscious of the agreed Order of Business and the need to allow time for the Minister of State to respond. As it turns out, we are right on time and I thank colleagues for their co-operation in this regard. I invite the Minister of State to reply and she has eight minutes to do so.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House. In particular, I thank the Labour Party for using its Private Members' business to bring this important motion to the House. I am sure the Minister is aware of the importance of the motion. I was particularly struck by the powerful presentation and contribution to this debate by Senator Gavan and, of course, his direct experience because what we bring to the table here in the Seanad is our unique experiences in the workplace and outside of this House. I…

I thank the Minister of State. The House stands adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 7 October 2020, in accordance with the order made by it on 30 September 2020.

Last Monday, 28 September, was World News Day. A global campaign was organised to highlight the important role of journalism. Journalism Matters is a campaign I fully support and I have no doubt all Senators support it, too. Newspapers, newsrooms, editorials and digital and social media are vital components in an era of so much misinformation and disinformation. More than ever, journalism and journalists are challenged to get the facts and report on the truth. Local Ireland, the representative association of the Ir…

I welcome the Minister to the House and I thank my colleague and friend, Senator David Norris, for sticking with this and pursuing it. I remember a great debate about this in the Seanad with a previous Minister a year or two ago. Of course there were great promises that it would come back and there would be a focus on it. I thank the Senator Norris for sticking with it and using the Independent Senators' Private Members' slot today. I was happy to co-sign the proposal, as was my colleague, Senator Craughwell. It is…

First, I welcome Senator Chambers to the position of Deputy Leader. I do not envy her. I see she is taking copious notes but I do not think she will have sufficient time to reply fully to all the issues raised. I welcome her to her position. It is an onerous and responsible position in the House and I wish her well with it. I wish to echo the comments of Senator Higgins. What a fine Senator we have. It is great that we have diversity in Seanad Éireann and, in particular, Independent Senators of her calibre. She is …

I wish to clarify that I am speaking on amendment No. 2, which is grouped with this amendment. I also seconded this amendment, just to remind the Leas-Chathaoirleach. It would be good to get this process and the speaking order right from the beginning. Senators who propose and second amendments are supposed to speak first and second. I remind the Chair that he had indicated that-----

No, I know that.

That is fine. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for providing that clarity.

No, I would not suggest that at all of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. One of the reasons I voted for him is that I have much confidence in him.

I welcome the Minister of State and I acknowledge that it is not an easy time to be in that role. It is certainly not an easy time to be a Minister of State from the Green Party in this portfolio and I acknowledge that as well. I know the difficulties and also something of the tensions involving environmentalists and environmental activism. Many of such activists joined the Green Party and remain happy there, but there are always going to be challenges. I am conscious of that and I want to keep this argument to the…

Senator Pauline O'Reilly should withdraw that remark.

On a point of order-----

On a point of order-----

-----I cannot sit here in the Parliament and hear a Senator suggest untruths. It is a very serious allegation to make.