The Order of Business is No. 1, statements on defence matters, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude no later than 2.30 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each and the Minister will be called to reply no later than 2.25 p.m.; No. 2, statements on areas of natural constraint, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and to conclude no later than 4 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes each and the Minister to be called to reply no later than 3.55 p.m.; No. 3, motion regarding Commission of Investigation (National Asset Management Agency) Order 2017, to be taken at 4 p.m. and to conclude no later than 5 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes each and the Minister to be called to reply no later than 4.56 p.m.; and No. 4, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017 – Second Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude within two hours.

I congratulate our colleague, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, and her husband, Mr. John Lee, our colleague in the press, on their birth of their son, Edward Anthony Lee, on Monday. She will be back with us soon.

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, published his annual report this week in which he raised his concern that homeless children and children with disabilities are not being prioritised in the receipt of State services. These children are the most vulnerable and, as such, must be protected most. We learn from the report that a child with intellectual disabilities was left in a hospital for three months because the Health Service Executive, HSE, could not find suitable residential accommodation for him. This depiction recalls the scenes of vulnerable children in orphanages in Chernobyl, but it is the reality in modern Ireland. It is incredible that the State is actively neglecting our children. It sickens me. Further, the report highlighted that many children are placed in inappropriate placements and that the number of complaints about Tusla is most unsatisfactory. Will the Leader ask the Minister to take heed of this report from the Ombudsman for Children and to actively address each of the complaints raised?

Yesterday, Mr. Seán FitzPatrick was acquitted of wrongdoing by Judge Aylmer in the Four Courts. The first reaction of many was that this would only happen in Ireland. However, when we dig deeper we learn that there was serious incompetence in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, and this was highlighted by the trial judge. It is clear from the judgment that the ODCE did not conduct an impartial and unbiased investigation. It is very worrying and a poor reflection on the ODCE that a judge felt it necessary to highlight publicly the inadequacies in that office. It is very unusual for a judge to do so. The judge essentially said that the office lacked objectivity and criticised the office for shredding documents pertaining to the file, which is extraordinary. The ODCE is the body responsible for policing corporate Ireland and ensuring we have the highest standards of corporate governance. Every person charged with a criminal offence, no matter how unpopular they are, is entitled to a fair investigation by the relevant State authorities. When simple fair procedures are not followed by an agency in its prosecutions it casts doubt over the competence of the agency and is ultimately an embarrassment for the country. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to address the House on this matter and on the efficacy of the ODCE.

I do not know if Members have noticed the headlines over three days relating to the children of our country. I would be interested to know what the visitors to the House think of how this nation treats its children. The first headline stated that a 16 year old child sat overnight in an accident and emergency department waiting to see a consultant psychiatrist. She was suicidal. No psychiatrist turned up so she sat there all night. The second headline stated that ten beds in Linn Dara in Dublin will be closed next month. There are only 22 beds for children who are suicidal or who have other mental health issues and ten of them will now be closed. The third headline related to a hospital in the west, where a suicidal teenager was refused to be seen by the hospital. However, we hear from the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health that everything is rosy in the garden. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to the House to answer the following three questions. How was the budget money spent last year? How does the Department intend to spend the €15 million this year? With regard to the third question, I am continually given the reply that the problem with the mental health services is lack of personnel. What does the Department plan to do in 2017? There is a 50% shortage of psychiatric nurses, doctors and consultants. What is the plan to recruit these people? The Leader should invite the Minister, Deputy Harris, to the House to answer those questions.

First, I wish to propose a change in the Order of Business, to call for a vote on motion No. 18 of the non-Government motions on the Order Paper and for that be taken at the conclusion of statements on areas of natural constraint, ANC, with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Could the Senator repeat that? I did not hear it.

I wish to call for a vote at the end of the debate on ANCs today with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on motion No. 18 of the non-Government motions on the Order Paper. I can explain it to the Leader later.

You cannot call a vote on statements.

I know. That is why I wish to change the Order of Business. I wish to insert that motion there. It is already on the Order Paper.

I will let the Leader respond but I have been in the House for a long time and I have not heard of such a proposal. You must propose an amendment to the Order of Business. I do not think that you can schedule a vote on it at the end of statements.

I want to propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

I will allow the Leader answer the Senator's request and then we will sort it out.

On a point of information, the motion was defeated last week on two occasions.

Yes, but it was on the basis that there was not a debate but we will have a debate on the issue with statements of the Minister-----

The Senator cannot do that.

-----and people will then have full knowledge, and we should be able to vote on it at that time.

There are procedures and rules of the House. The Senator should not give me that glib argument. She knows the position on this.

I am not being difficult but I advised that in proposing an amendment Senator Conway-Walsh is anticipating how the statements will pan out and a particular result which one cannot anticipate.

No, but I am anticipating people will have full knowledge after the Minister has given his information today. Therefore, there should be no impediment to people then voting on that motion.

No, I do not believe the Senator can propose a vote on statements but I will wait for the Leader to respond and I will rule on it later. I note what the Senator has said.

I will take guidance from Martin Groves, the Clerk of the Seanad. I am proposing a vote on the motion, not on the statements.

We will clarify the position on that before then.