Members, distinguished visitors, ladies and gentlemen, those watching at home and online, it is my great pleasure to welcome Ms Annita Demetriou, President of the Cypriot House of Representatives to Seanad Éireann. Céad míle fáilte, you are very welcome. I also welcome the ambassador, H.E. Ms Charis Christodoulidou. I thank you for the very strong hand of friendship you have extended to Ireland since your appointment and for the great work you have been doing here. Tá ríméad orainn fáilte a chur roimh Annita Demetr…

I thank Ms Demetriou for her powerful address. Today is the 158th birthday of William Butler Yeats. Ms Demetriou stands here on the centenary of his winning the Nobel Prize for literature. The students to which she referred are from Leckaun National School in County Leitrim. The boys and girls are very welcome. They have just heard the address by Ms Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives, the Parliament, of Cyprus. In keeping with tradition, can I give the students a no-homework week as we head toward…

The Senator might not be alone in that. I thank him for giving us a wonderful, whistle-stop tour of Cyprus. On behalf of the Green Party, I call Senator Garvey.

Hear, hear.

Go raibh maith agat. I thank Madam Speaker for those powerful words on the importance of peace and solidarity. I call on the Leas Cathaoirleach for his concluding remarks.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Victor Boyhan - The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the youth homelessness strategy and to report progress on its 27 distinct actions to prevent young people from entering homelessness, to improve the experiences of young people in emergency accommodation and to assist young people to exit homelessness. Senator Sharon Keogan - The need for the Minister …

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Heydon.

I welcome the Italian ambassador, H.E. Ruggero Corrias, and thank him for being here. The wonderful celebration of Italy's Republic Day, Festa della Repubblica, will take place tomorrow. Members will know that Italy's institutional referendum took place in 1946, when the people of the country chose that it should become a republic. Ireland has always been very friendly with Italy. We thank the ambassador and the Italian Government for their friendship and support. I thank him for all the wonderful work he is doing …

I welcome our guests to the Gallery. I thank them for being here today. We hope they have a very enjoyable tour of Leinster House.

I commend Senators Lombard and Murphy, but Senator Lombard in particular, who have been campaigning on this VAT issue for a long time, and I understand Senator Lombard's link to it.

You have already made a contribution, Senator Craughwell.

The Leader and I might jointly offer the students a no-homework night tonight.

That requires a motion.

Sorry, Senator Mullen. The Acting Leader is up.

Thank you, Members.

Senator Mullen, you know the rules of the House. There are to be no interruptions when the Acting Leader is replying to the Order of Business.

We should show a good example to the students who are watching.

Thank you, Senators.

An amendment to the Order of Business has been proposed in the name of Senator Ward: "That No. 18 be taken before No.1." It has been seconded by Senator Lombard and the Acting Leader has indicated that he is prepared to accept the amendment.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?