Chomh maith le gach éinne eile, cuirim fáilte roimh feisirí Pharlaimint na hEorpa. Tá sé an-tábhachtach iad a fheiscint istigh sa Teach seo. Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur mar gheall ar mhéadú an Aontais. I ask for an update on the current status of the applications to join the European Union by ten accession countries, in particular, the applications of Montenegro and Ukraine. Is it envisaged that progress will be made during the term of Ireland's Presidency in the latter half of this year?

Ba mhaith liom rud éigin a rá mar gheall ar líon na ngardaí i gCorcaigh go háirithe. On previous occasions, I have listened to the Leader speak about disproportionate capital investment in the Northern and Western Regional Assembly area. I have made the same point in relation to the Southern Regional Assembly area. When compared to the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area, this area receives disproportionate capital investment, which is very important for infrastructure. The allocation of gardaí in our areas …

I call on Senator Cosgrove to speak, but before I do so, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has indicated that after the contributions of the proposer and seconder, she wishes to speak on that point.

It is the Senator's intention to speak for 11 minutes, after which Senator Harmon will speak for five minutes Is that agreed? Agreed.

Sula n-iarraim ar an Aire Stáit freagra a thabhairt, cuirim fáilte roimh Cara Donnelly. Cara is very welcome to Seanad Éireann. Cara is a niece of the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth. Anois, glaoim ar an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Butler.

Sula nglaoim ar an gcéad Seanadóir eile, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh cuairteoirí. I welcome the residents group from Ballytarsna, County Carlow, who are guests of the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, and Senator Daly. They are very welcome and we hope they enjoy their visit to Leinster House. Glaoim ar Sheanadóir Clonan.

Is mian liom, ar son Sheanadóirí Fhine Gael, ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire, an Teachta O’Callaghan, as teacht isteach tráthnóna chun páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht seo. Cuirim fáilte roimhe. Cuirim fáilte chomh maith roimh an méid atá leagtha amach sa Bhille seo agus an dul chun cinn atá molta chun cumhachtaí breise a thabhairt do bhaill an Gharda Síochána ar fud na tíre. Cuirim fáilte áirithe roimh na moltaí a bhaineann le cumhachtaí breise ó thaobh gléasanna leictreonacha a chuardach. De réir mar a thag…

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber and call on Senator Kyne to move the motion.

Sula n-iarrfaimid ar an Aire freagra a thabhairt ar son an Rialtais, cuirim fáilte roimh dhaltaí ón CBS i nDún Dealgan. I welcome the pupils from CBS primary school Dundalk. They are guests of Deputy Paula Butterly. As is the tradition in Seanad Éireann, they will have no homework for the rest of the week, so they are clear for today and tomorrow.

I call Senator Kyne.

On behalf of Fine Gael, I echo the sentiments of other Senators. The debate has been very engaging. A collaborative approach has been taken. That was made all the more easier by the Minister of State's approach. I thank everybody who put in such huge work into it and working together. The emphasis that is on mental health now is an awful lot more significant and far better than it was when I was growing up in the eighties and nineties and the country is all the better for that. Long may that continue. Any additiona…

Chomh maith leis na Seanadóirí eile, ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Collins. I do not have a huge amount to add to what Senator Rabbitte said. She summarised the Government's position. I second the counter-motion on the basis that it is premature at this point, pending the outcome of deliberations and feedback from the implementation group. We will proceed from that point. I second the counter-motion and reiterate the position of Senator Rabbitte.

Amendments Nos. 129 to 132, inclusive, 136, 138 and 139 are related. Amendment No. 131 is a physical alternative to No. 130. Amendments Nos. 129 to 132, inclusive, 136, 138 and 139 may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 140 to 148, inclusive, are related and may be discussed together. Is that agreed? Agreed. Amendment No. 143 is a physical alternative to amendment No. 142. Amendments Nos. 147 and 148 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 146.

Is amendment No. 140 being pressed?

The Government amendment is No. 143.

Is amendment No. 144 being pressed?

Amendments Nos. 149, 150, 298, 369 and 384 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Amendments Nos. 151 and 152 are related and may be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Acceptance of amendment No 156 involves the deletion of section 59 of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 156 to 159, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.