I thank the Clerk of the Seanad, the acting Clerk Assistant of the Seanad, the Superintendent of the Houses and staff of the Oireachtas for arranging this sitting of the House. Some renovations had to take place and the cameras had to be put back in place. I thank the staff who worked hard at the weekend to get the Chamber back in order.
Under the powers conferred on me by Standing Order 22(2) of the Standing Orders of Seanad Éireann Relative to Public Business, I summoned Seanad Éireann to meet today, 31 July 2014, at 2 p.m. for the purpose of taking statements on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine. Under Standing Orders, business is confined to the subject matter set out in the summons, dated 29 July 2014, specifically No. 1 on the Order Paper. No other items of business can be taken. I call the Leader to propose the arrangements for the taking of No. 1.
