Order of Business
The Chair welcomed students from St. Columba's School. The Acting Leader outlined the day's business, including taking the asylum and migration motion at 12.45 p.m., and Members briefly welcomed the students.
Before I call the Acting Leader to outline the business, I welcome the other group of students, from St. Columba's School in Glasnevin, who are here with us. They are very welcome. As I said to the other group, one of the special powers the Cathaoirleach has is to give homework off. I know it is the end of the term, but can I give you homework off for the rest of the week anyway and hope that it can be transferred to the future? I also thank your teachers for the great work they do. Thank you and welcome to Leinster House.
Comment on this
I got to meet some of the students as I was coming in. It was lovely to get a chance to say hello and now to formally welcome them to the Seanad. I hope they have an interesting day and learn a lot.
The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Protocol No. 21 opt-in to regulations on a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on international protection, asylum and migration, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to conclude at 3.45 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed 15 minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, time may be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than 15 minutes to reply to the debate; No. 144(2), Private Member's business, motion re national cancer services, to be taken at 4 p.m. or on conclusion of No. 1, whichever is the later, with the time allocated to this debate not to exceed two hours; No. 2, Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill, Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 6 p.m. or on conclusion of No. 144(2), whichever is the later, and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 9 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by Government.