I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery Senator Devlin Robinson from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County to be precise, who, along with Mary Jo Daley passed the legislation creating the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission. He is here to attend the Global Irish Civic Forum. I think he claimed he single-handedly got Aer Lingus to establish direct flights from Pittsburgh to Ireland. Let anyone else dispute it. I thank him for being here. When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters: Senators Patricia Stephenson, Fiona O'Loughlin and Anne Rabbitte - The need for the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on travel supports for victims of domestic and gender-based violence. Senator Tom Clonan - The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the requirement for DA103 forms to be completed for disability allowance and…

There is a vote being called in the Dáil on the Order of Business. I am not too sure whether the Minister has to go.

We are not too sure whether there is a pairing arrangement in place for the Minister. In the height of safety, we will allow him to go to vote. Senator Stephenson is still to respond if the Minister is able to come back after the vote.

I ask the Deputy Leader to propose the suspension of the House for the duration of the Dáil vote.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

We will take the next Commencement matter as we have the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, present. It is in the name of Senator Clonan.

The Minister is coming back.

I join with Senator Murphy O'Mahony and all colleagues in expressing our sympathies to the family and huge number of friends of Joe Carroll. He was a character in every sense of the word, but he was also a great servant to all the people down in west Cork. Obviously, it was a great honour for him and his family that he was the mayor of the county, and as the Senator pointed out, he did so with distinction. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, Mr. Gordon Prentice, who is a former Labour Party MP from Britain and represented Lancashire back in the day. I am sure he is sorry to be missing out on all the action in Westminster today.

I welcome the Minister to Seanad Éireann. I thank him for being here. The Minister will speak for ten minutes, group spokespersons for eight minutes, all other Senators will speak for five minutes and he will reply no later than 7.35 p.m. The statements will conclude at 7.45 p.m.

Tá deireadh leis an díospóireacht. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as teacht isteach chuig an Teach seo inniu agus páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht.

I thank the Minister. Before I call Senator Gallagher, I welcome Councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy and all the crew from Bunclody who are here about an issue in relation to flooding defence in the town. With the councillor are Nicky Caesar, Patrick Foley, Mick Scott and Mary Cowman-Scott. The visit was arranged by former Senator, now Deputy, Malcolm Byrne.

I call the Aire to conclude.

When is it proposed to sit again?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters on the commencement of Seanad Éireann today: Senator Nessa Cosgrove - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to make a statement on measures in place to ensure that Sligo Abbey is open to visitors on a year-round basis. Senator Mike Kennelly - The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a statement on the provision of additiona…

I welcome to the Gallery Deputy Liam Quaide from Cork and his guests. I thank them for being here.

Stop, stop.