Is that agreed? Agreed. I remind everyone that it is Senator Joe Conway’s birthday, and Senator Cathal Byrne’s too. Happy birthday.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Margaret Murphy O'Mahony - The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the services and supports in place to assist people living with inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Senator P.J. Murphy - The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine to make a statement on the timeline for publishing the scientific assessment into the threats pose…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to the House.

Dia dhaoibh, a chairde. Before I call on the Leader to outline the Order of Business I wish to announce that Senator Seán Kyne has been elected to Dáil Éireann and is, by virtue of Article 15.14 of the Constitution deemed to have vacated his seat in Seanad Éireann. Consequently, a casual vacancy has occurred in the membership of Seanad Éireann. On a personal note, I thank now Deputy, former Senator, Seán Kyne, for his service as Leader to the Twenty-seventh Seanad. I wish him well. He worked well with all sides. He…

-----as he takes up his seat in Dáil Éireann today.

Before I call the next speaker, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the Croatian ambassador to Ireland, who is here to celebrate Croatia's national day along with An Leas-Chathaoirleach and the newly appointed convener of the Ireland-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The ambassador is most welcome. I think he has been here nearly seven years at this stage. It is always a delight to meet him and to talk about the issues that join us together, such as the many Irish people who go on holidays in Croa…

I welcome visitors from the school of law in Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. They are guests of Senator Frances Black and the chief translator, Vivian Uíbh Eachach. I thank them for coming. If they find any flaws in our processes, I ask them to point them out.

I welcome the ambassador from Georgia, H.E. Sophie Katsarava. She is most welcome to Seanad Éireann. She is a guest of Senator Diarmuid Wilson. Georgia and Ireland have a great friendship, and have had many a contest on the soccer field. We thank the ambassador for coming today and for her friendship. I thank Senator Wilson for bringing the ambassador to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery and for being here today.

As Members are aware, political charges are part of the cut and thrust of the Seanad and obviously, issues that are of public interest and in the public arena are open for discussion here but people have to be careful about making anything other than political charges.

I welcome guests of Senator Andrews - students who are doing their masters in international development in Maynooth University. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today. I also welcome guests of Senator Noonan and Deputy Clarke. I thank them for being here.

I thank the Senator for his work as convenor on that report on farm safety. It was quite comprehensive in terms of engagement with farming organisations and groups as well as with the victims of farm accidents, those who lost loved ones and those whose lives were transformed by injuries they received. I thank him for his work on that. The report's recommendations led to changes throughout the country on the issue of farm safety.

I call on the Acting Leader to respond.

I welcome the Japanese ambassador to Ireland. He is most welcome to the Seanad. We are delighted he is here. We have great relations with his country and great regard for its friendship with Ireland. We are delighted to see him here with the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. I thank the Minister of State for bringing the ambassador here. Long may our friendship continue. I also thank the ambassador.

Before proceeding, I remind Members from the Midlands-North-West constituency that all five MEPs representing the constituency will be in the Chamber from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. I hope Members will be able to attend, especially in view of Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the European Union.

Amendments Nos. 4, 5 and 54 are related. Amendment No. 5 forms a composite proposal with, and is consequential on, amendment No. 4, with amendment No. 54 also being consequential on amendment No. 4. The three amendments may be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 6 to 13, inclusive, are related. Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 are physical alternatives to amendment No. 9. Amendments Nos. 6 to 13, inclusive, may be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

If the Senator does not speak to them, they cannot be brought back in.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senator Patricia Stephenson - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the recommendations of the civil legal aid review, specifically relating to legal aid for survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Senator Robbie Gallagher - The need for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to make a statement on the community CCTV scheme and plans …

Before I call on the Acting Leader to outline the Order of Business, I welcome guests of Senator Eileen Lynch from Coachford College. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann, and I thank them for being here today. I do not know what class they are. If they are transition year, I am sorry to tell them we give an award of no homework for the rest of the week when they visit Seanad Éireann. If there are any issues, please let me know but that is the rule and the teachers have to comply with the rules of the Senate, ju…

Is that the British security services? The Senator used the term "security services". I just want to make sure there is a distinction.