There have been many tributes, endorsements, congratulations and expressions of gratification and it is time we decided to get down to the Order of Business. Even though our physical comforts are important, the business of the House is even more important. I would like to compliment you, a Chathaoirligh, on the work you did during the summer to ensure that we are sitting in comfort. I am not sure what the other Members feel, but I do not think this is not a working bench. In particular, I would like to join with Senator Robb in complimenting you on the fact that we have the national flag for the first time in the Seanad. It is about time our flag was brought into the Seanad Chamber.
Complimentary remarks have been made about the Office of Public Works. Sometimes they come in for a lot of stick in many places but I have seen the restoration work carried out by them throughout the country and there is no doubt that they have retained the services of some of the best craftsmen in wood and stone. I have no doubt that the job that will be done on the Seanad ceiling will be an excellent one. I have seen the work they have done in the restoration of ceilings in Butler House in Kilkenny which is the headquarters of Kilkenny Design Workshops. The ceilings there were as important as the ceiling in the Seanad and they did an excellent job in restoring and renovating them.
It is proposed to take Items Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on the Order Paper. Item No. 1 is the order for Second Stage of the Customs and Excise (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill, 1987 and it will be taken next week. It is an important Bill and it will be circulated. The Bill was put on the Order Paper so that Members would have a chance to read it before it comes to the Seanad. There was pressure to have the Bill introduced and to take Second Stage today but because it is an important Bill I think it should be circulated before we discuss it. Committee Stage of the Abattoirs Bill will be taken today.
Item No. 3 on the Order Paper is a Government motion on roads and amendments have been put down to that. We will give the Members proposing the amendments time to make their propositions but there is no objection on this side of the House to the amendments as proposed. I do not think we should extend the debate or keep it too short because it is a motion that has connotations for us all. If the Senators who want to speak on it keep their speeches short we can get everybody in and we will not cut them off by restricting ourselves to the actual time limit of three hours.