Senator Clonan moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 17 be taken before No. 1". The amendment was seconded by Senator Ruane. The Deputy Leader indicated he is prepared to accept the amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed. Senator Ruane moved an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 16 be taken before No. 1". The amendment was seconded by Senator Higgins. The Deputy Leader indicated he is prepared to accept this amendment. Is the amendment agreed? Agreed.

Is the Order of Business, as amended, agreed to?

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

When is it proposed to take Second Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Before I ask the Leader to outline the proposed Order of Business, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador of Spain. We are delighted he is here in advance of Spain's national day and we are honoured he has come here to celebrate that day in the Seanad. Ireland and Spain have a long history. Indeed, my county, Kerry, celebrates the Treaty of Dingle of 1529. I know that the ambassador visited the town recently. Of course, there was also the Flight of the Earls, who ended up throughout Spain an…

I join the Senator in the expressions of sympathy to our colleague the Minister, Deputy Burke, and I think we all join the Senator in calling for the release of the hostages and a cessation of the violence in the Middle East on all sides. We were talking about the Camino and the links between Ireland and Spain with the ambassador earlier. I know the Spanish Government went to enormous lengths to identify Red Hugh O'Donnell, who died at 29 years of age on his way to try to get the Spanish King to provide another arm…

That is the centre of the world, not the end of the world.

As they should.

Before I call the Leader to respond, I join Senator Cassells in thanking everyone who served on the Seanad Public Consultation Committee during its discussions on the future of local democracy. He was its rapporteur, but Senators Black, Boyhan, Casey, Chambers, Currie, Martin, Joe O’Reilly and Wall were also involved. Former Senators, Regina Doherty and Niall Ó Donnghaile, both served on the committee. It was an important examination of where we were as a country in terms of local democracy. The key recommendation …

The Leader without interruption.

I thank the Leader for outlining the Order of Business. I welcome the guests of the Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan. They are from Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny, and are most welcome to Seanad Éireann. The unofficial rule of Seanad Éireann is that if pupils visit, they do not have homework for the rest of the week. We always try to encourage them to come on a Tuesday. If we sat on a Monday, they could visit on a Monday, but unfortunately today is a Thursday. There is to be no homework today and tomorrow.

Have I a seconder for the proposal for a week?

It has been seconded, so no homework for a week is now official policy of the Seanad. Congratulations. Senator Horkan should note it is now on the record. He is all right; he is now getting all the votes in Kilkenny.

And everywhere else. Indeed. Order of Business agreed to.

Before I call Senator McDowell, I welcome our guests from the United States, Mr. Bill Leahy and Ms Diane Dunn, who are accompanied by Councillor Avril Cronin.

I thank the Minister and Senators for their contributions to the debate. I look forward to the Committee Stage proposal and any amendments Senators will bring forward.

When is it proposed to take Committee Stage?

Is that agreed? Agreed.