Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. This is a Seanad Bill that has been amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 138, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question "That the Bill be received for final consideration", a 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 the Senators' convenience, I have arranged for the printing and circulation of the amendments. The Minister of State will deal separately with the subject of each related group of amendments.

Senators have tabled several amendments that arise from the changes made to the Bill by the Dáil. In view of the number of amendments and to avoid repetition of debate, I propose that amendments made by the Dáil and related amendments tabled by Senators be debated together in related groups. Decisions on the amendments tabled by Senators will be taken when the discussion on all groups of amendments has concluded.

I have circulated the proposed groupings in the House. A Senator may contribute once on each grouping. I remind Senators that the only matters that may be discussed are the subject matter of each grouping of amendments made by the Dáil and the amendments tabled that arise out of the amendments made by the Dáil.