Before I call on the Leader to reply, I welcome to the Public Gallery members of the Children and Young People's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. I thank them very much for being here. We also thank them for their deliberations and their work.

I welcome family members of the late Brian Donnelly who are here today in Leinster House. Today, the Oireachtas United States Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group held a powerful commemorative event in his great memory. As we all know, he was a huge advocate and friend of Ireland. We associate him primarily with the Donnelly and Morrison visas. His family are welcome, as are Willie and Eibhlin Keilthy from the JFK Summer School. I also thank Larry for being here. Today, we remember Brian Donnelly in our thoughts.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Lisa Chambers - The need for the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to make a statement on plans to increase the number of bed nights available for tourists across the country in light of the large numbers being contracted for housing refugees. Senator Micheál Carrigy - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to make a statement on th…

Before I ask the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business, on behalf of the Seanad, I extend a céad míle fáilte and take the opportunity to congratulate Latvia and its people on their national day, which is taking place on Saturday. It is part of the country's Patriot Week celebration. I am very privileged to welcome the Latvian ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Juris Štālmeistars, to the Public Gallery. He has been a very good friend of Ireland and of this parliamentary community. Senator Maria Byrne, chairperson …

That is a great start as Acting Leader. Well done. I call Senator Mary Seery Kearney.

To be fair to the Leader, it is not her role to make a decision.

I welcome to the Public Gallery guests of Senator Horkan, Julie Birch and Eileen Deely. Julie is a daughter of Eileen, who is married to the iar-Chathaoirleach, Senator Denis O'Donovan. Julie and Eileen are great friends and are very welcome. They are in the good company of Senator Horkan, who I hope is buying them copious amounts of lunch, dinner and alcohol. I hope they have a very pleasant day.

I welcome former Senator Ian Marshall and his guests to the Public Gallery. It is good to see him back in this House.

That is a very good suggestion. I remind the Senator that Standing Orders allow for individual Members to have the matters the Senator wishes to see discussed put on the schedule.

It is a good idea and I am supportive of it.

Senator Carrigy has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 9 be taken before No. 1." The amendment has been seconded by Senator Murphy. The Leader indicated she is prepared to accept the amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Aidan Davitt - The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the total annual expenditure in the operation of direct provision and related services and supports; and the total expenditure to date in the provision of accommodation, supports and services for refugees following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Senator Mark Wall - The need for the Ministe…

For our sixth Commencement matter, we welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and thank the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, for his engagement over the last five debates.

Before I call on the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business for today it is my sad duty to inform Members of the death over the weekend of our former councillor, Deputy, Senator, colleague and friend Louis J. Belton. Born in Longford in 1943, he was educated at St. Dominic's National School, Kenagh, and later in St. Mel's College, Longford town. He was a huge sports fan and he particularly had a great interest in GAA, soccer and rugby. He took huge delight last month when his beloved Kenagh won the Longford…

On a positive and celebratory note, today marks the centenary of the awarding of the Nobel Prize for literature to William Butler Yeats. It was on this day in 1923 through a telephone message from The Irish Times that W.B. Yeats received the news of his Nobel Prize in literature, to be conferred on him in Sweden a month later. The poet and dramatist was a Member of this House from 1922 to 1928 when he received notice of the award on this day 100 years ago. As Members know, it is my intention that next week we will …

Before I call on Senator Paul Daly, I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on completing the marathon in Greece at the weekend. It took a Kerryman to go to Greece. He has completed a marathon in the home of the marathon. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis. We are glad to see him here today.

We hope he can move fast around this place as well. Fair play to him.

I am glad the Senator said it was on a preliminary basis because Senator Norris has not yet informed the Seanad Office in writing of his intention to retire. It would be appropriate to mark that, given that the Senator raised it and that many of us were aware of the situation. We will pay tribute in future to the father of the House. Senator Norris has, as Senator McDowell has said, been a Member of this House for 36 years and he has been a champion of equality and diversity. As the Senator rightly said, Senator No…