I wish to make a point of order and apologise for interrupting the Leader. Was the proposed amendment to the Order of Business seconded?

No.

I do not know whether the Leader can accept the amendment. I seek guidance from the Cathaoirleach on the matter as I tabled the amendment.

The amendment is not in order.

That is fine. We will try to have the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, attend at another time, in early course, because it is necessary that we have clarification on what is happening now.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business which relates to the Aer Lingus AGM. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has attended here previously to respond to an amendment to the Order of Business.

Yes.

The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, came here and gave a very comprehensive reply.

I do not agree with the Leader's claim.

The Minister is quite willing to come here again. I accept the amendment to the Order of Business which means we will have statements on the Government's stance at the Aer Lingus AGM from 3 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. today. I accede to the Senator's request and thank the Minister again.

I am grateful to the Leader. I wish to clarify that the EGM starts at 2 p.m.

I cannot debate the matter any sooner than I have outlined and we have ordered the business accordingly.

I am not disputing that fact. The Government could have voted by the time we take statements.

The Leader, please, without interruption.

I am trying to assist the House.

I appreciate that but I am trying to discuss the timing of statements.

We can talk. We have tabled a discussion of the Finance Bill. The 3 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. slot is free and I have asked the Minister to attend. He is willing to come in to explain the matter. Does the Senator want to amend the Order of Business or not?

I do. I am trying to help matters by stating that the EGM will start at 2 o'clock so the Government could have voted. I gratefully accept the adoption of my amendment and thank the Leader.

I amend the Order of Business to indicate that we will have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport here at 3 o'clock.

Senator Bacik, and indeed all Senators, have made very good contributions and outlined their personal, family and other circumstances in regard to the programme on Áras Attracta. The contributions were very touching. We will try to arrange a debate on the matter as soon as possible.

Senator Bacik also called for a debate on development strategies and development organisation. We will try to facilitate it in the new year.

Senator Zappone inquired about the gender recognition Bill. It is at quality assurance stage in the Office of the Attorney General and we are fairly positive that it will be published before Christmas.

The criminal law (sexual offences) Bill is a complicated piece of legislation to draft. Further heads need to be added to make it as robust as possible in order for it to achieve its aim of protecting vulnerable persons against sexual exploitation and abuse. I am not in a position to say when we will have the heads in that regard.

Senator Zappone has drawn attention to the fact that today is International Human Rights Day. She also mentioned that there is a need for the Government to recognise the Traveller ethnic identity, a recommendation which came from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

I will try to find out the position as regards advancing that also.

Senator Quinn spoke about the report of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the importance of customer service, and called for a debate on that matter. I will try to get the Minister to come to the House in the new year for a debate on that important report.

Senator Naughton, and other Senators, congratulated RTE on its investigative work as shown on the "Prime Time" programme and called for a debate with the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch.

Senators Denis O'Donovan, Colm Burke and Michael Mullins raised the issue of delays with the national car test. Senator O'Donovan mentioned that the earliest date he could get was mid-March. Senator Mullins made the important point that people who applied and have been given a date should be exempt from penalties. I do not know whether that is the position but the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will be in the House next week for a road traffic Bill. That will be the appropriate time to raise those points with the Minister, and I am sure he will take them on board.

Senator Moloney rightly emphasised that we have many excellent care staff and facilities throughout the country, and that we must not lose sight of that. She stated also, and I agree with her, that we cannot train people to have compassion. That comes by nature in many cases.

Senator Cullinane spoke about the right to protest about water charges. I can assure the Deputy that the Government has listened, and will continue to listen, in that regard.

Senator Comiskey spoke about the extra funding for farming and agricultural matters, and the need to combat ash dieback disease on which we had a comprehensive and informative debate in this House last year.

Senator Moran raised the need for an independent inquiry into Áras Attracta and for the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, to come into the House. As has been pointed out, the amendment to the Order of Business was not seconded but I will amend the Order of Business now that the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, would come to the House for statements on that programme from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. to allow us express our views, and the Minister of State has agreed to do that. I am proposing that amendment as I mentioned at the outset.

I think I have covered most of the items Members have raised and apologies if I have not answered some people.

Senator Darragh O'Brien has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to establish how the Government will vote on the pension restructuring at the annual general meeting of Aer Lingus today be taken today." Is that agreed? Agreed.

I thank the Leader for that.

The Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment and that 30 minutes will be provided for the statements. Is it agreed that the statements will be taken from 3 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.? Agreed?

Senator Mary Moran moved an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for Health on the need for an independent inquiry into the standard of care in residential care homes be taken today." There was no seconder for that amendment. The Leader has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business that a debate would take place with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on the subject of last night's programme on RTE. Is that agreed? Agreed.