Verona Murphy

Are the arrangements agreed to? No.

The amendment under Standing Order 35(3) will be done next.

No, Deputy-----

-----if you are stating an amendment-----

Deputy Whitmore, state your amendment, please.

Deputy Whitmore, you are supposed to state the amendment, for the future. Thank you. The Chief Whip to respond.

Thank you. Is it agreed that the proposed arrangements for the week's business be agreed to and that the proposed amendment be negatived?

To take a moment of your time, I want to say a very special "thank you" today to Mick O'Brien. Mick O'Brien has worked here in the Oireachtas for 32 years and today he retires. Mick began his time here as a service officer. He became an usher in 1997 and was promoted to usher team leader and then deputy head usher and office keeper in 2005. In 2016, he became the project facilitator who oversaw th…

-----and he is a keen golfer, so there will be lots to do. During his time here, Mick has seen off eight taoisigh, eight Cinn Comhairle and four Presidents who have gone before him. On behalf of the Members and the staff, I wish Mick a very long and happy retirement but. also, it is actually his birthday today.

Very good. They are not known for their singing ability, Mick. Before we move to Questions on Policy or Legislation, the Taoiseach would like to say a few words, as would Deputy McDonald and Deputy Carrigy, who requested this on behalf of the committee he represents. We will then move on.

Number nine.

In the interests of fairness, please, Deputy Bacik, very briefly.

Again, thank you so much on behalf of all the Members and staff, and happy retirement. Thank you very much. Take care.

Elvis has left the building. We will proceed to Questions on Policy or Legislation for the week. I call on Deputy Mary Lou McDonald.

This is not a back and forth, Deputy.

This is not a back-and-forth exchange.

It is not a back and forth, Deputy.

Please, Deputy. You are out of time.

Thank you, Taoiseach. Time is up.

The Taoiseach and the Deputy can talk further. I ask the Deputy to respect the Chair.

Is the Bill opposed?

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Is the Bill being opposed?

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

I thank the Deputy. I call Deputy Ó Muirí.