Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Point taken. That is no problem.

I commend Senator Hoey on raising the issue of pay for secretarial assistants, SAs. The Senator may not be aware that we discuss the issue almost on a weekly basis at our leaders' meetings. There is work ongoing, but it is very slow, so I take on board her suggestion to write to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe. I will be happy to do that on behalf of the House today. There are two separate issues. The issue of SA pay is one that is long overdue refining and fixing but all staff of Senators and other parliamentarians should be considered to be parliamentary assistants, rather than secretarial assistants, given the amount of work they do. They are distinctly different roles but one is inherently connected with the other. I am very happy to send a letter on behalf of the House today.

Senator Higgins referred to a Covid debate. Again, it is very relevant. I am not sure Senator Conway meant that we were wrapping it up and that it is a done and dusted deal in terms of the next couple of weeks-----