Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I acknowledge that our esteemed former colleague, former Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh initiated this legislation in the previous Seanad.

This is a Seanad Bill which has been amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 148, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question, "That the Bill be received for final consideration", the Minister may explain the purpose of the amendments made by the Dáil. This is looked upon as the report of the Dáil amendments to the Seanad. For Senators' convenience, I have arranged for the printing and circulation of the amendments. The Minister of State will deal separately with the subject matters of each related group of amendments. I have also circulated the proposed grouping to the House. Senators may speak only once on each grouping. I remind Senators that the only matters which may be discussed are the amendments made by the Dáil.