Today's Order of Business is Items 1, 2, 3 and 4. Items 1 and 2, by agreement, will be taken without debate. With regard to Item 1, the Report of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, this unanimous report has been circulated to all Senators and deals with amendments to Standing Orders. It simply puts in a Senator to chair the sitting when the Cathaoirleach is being elected. The present system where the Clerk chairs the meeting with no powers to confine the debate was found to be unsatisfactory. A further amendment removes the restriction of the sitting at 2.30 p.m. after the Seanad adjourns sine die.
With regard to Item 3, Statements on Northern Ireland, it is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that those who have already contributed may make a further contribution. I suggest ten minutes per spokesperson and seven minutes thereafter. Item 4, the Heritage Council Bill, Second Stage, will start at 1 p.m. I suggest 20 minutes per spokesperson and 15 minutes thereafter.
As today is the last sitting day for this session, in deference to the Tánaiste — the Kerry beaches are calling — I thank the staff, the press, my colleagues in this House and you, a Chathaoirligh, for making this sitting such an effective and satisfactory one. I wish everybody a happy summer holiday.
