Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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This is a Seanad Bill 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 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 the convenience of Senators, I have arranged for the printing of, and the circulation of, these amendments to them. The Minister will deal separately with the subject matter of such related groups of amendments. I have also circulated the proposed groupings to the House. A Senator may contribute once on each grouping. I remind Senators the only matters that maybe discussed are the amendments made by the Dáil.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I call the Minister to speak on the subject matter of the amendment in group 1.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The amendment in group 1 is a technical amendment which provides that section 7 of the Bill on the single electricity market be commenced on the enactment of the Bill.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Does Senator Leyden wish to speak?

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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He will not delay the House, of course.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I will delay it as long as I like.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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The Senator has the floor but I will sound the gong if he is impudent.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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The Leas-Chathaoirleach should listen to what I say and then respond.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Certainly.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister and his officials. This was a Seanad Bill in which the Minister was not initially involved. I respect the amendments made by the Dáil. To be totally realistic, the Dáil will go into recess and will not return until the end of September. As a realist, I recommend to the House that the amendments be dealt with without great debate because, quite frankly, they have been debated in great detail. It is very important that the officials get on with enacting the Bill during the summer recess. I have no objection to any of the amendments. I support them and I ask the House to support the Bill because if any change is made here, it will take until the end of September or early October to return to the House, and this is just not acceptable in the present climate when we need action on all fronts. The Bill should be passed and approved by the House.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister which to respond?

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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No, I am quite happy to go through the groups of amendments one by one or take them together, whatever way the House wants to do it. I thank Senator Leyden for his comments.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I call on the Minister to speak on the subject matter of the amendment in group 2.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The amendment to section 9 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 was proposed by Deputy Ryan. It deals with issues and concerns about the promotion of demand side participation, flexibility and community participation in the energy markets to provide a mechanism for consumers to participate actively in the market through the production, sale and possible storage of electricity and to allow for the aggregation of services in the market.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I call on the Minister to speak on the subject matter of the amendments in group 3.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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These amendments provide some minor textual amendments to the Bill.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I call on the Minister to speak on the subject matter of the amendments in group 4.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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This provision provides for a number of minor technical amendments to section 24 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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They are contravention of licence conditions. I call on the Minister to speak on the subject matter of the amendment in group 5.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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This is a technical amendment.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I call on the Minister to speak on the subject matter of the amendment in group 6. This grouping covers appointments to the board of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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This amendment was put forward on foot of a proposal by Deputy Bríd Smith in the Dáil on having appropriate representation from the environmental sector on the board of SEAI. We agree with the principle of Deputy Smith's amendment and have committed to ensuring that on the new board, on which there are three vacancies at present, one person will come from this background.

Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister and his officials for bringing forward the Bill, and I wish him, his staff and the House a very successful summer break, which we all need after a very difficult electoral and ministerial year with regard to forming a government. I wish everyone well and I hope everyone returns. I believe we will be in this Chamber until December but I am not sure of the situation. Whether or which, we will return in the autumn as a Seanad, which is the most important thing.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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We are very grateful to the Minister.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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When is it supposed to sit again?

Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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At 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 28 September 2016.