Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate him on his substantial election victory which was a magnificent achievement. He is no stranger to public life, having been elected to Galway County Council in 2004. He has since worked tirelessly on various campaigns and we are well aware of how he has championed those causes. He became the first Green Party mayor of Galway in 2006 and yesterday was elected to Seanad Éireann. I hope he will have a long and enjoyable career in national politics and, in particular, that he will find his time in Seanad Éireann worthwhile and fulfilling. Comhghairdeas Senator Ó Brolcháin.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business, and No. 2, Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009 - Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 1, on which spokespersons may speak for 15 minutes and all other Senators for ten minutes and Senators may share time, by agreement of the House.