Fiach MacConghail (Independent)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for that.

Without pre-empting the passage through the House of the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, a very important Bill in regard to donations and gender quotas, no matter which way it goes, will the Leader say whether it is possible that the final passage of that Bill might coincide with International Women's Day on March 8? I do not wish to pre-empt the debate or make any suggestion of a guillotine. Plenty of time should be allowed. However, that might be a symbolic and good moment for the House to pass the Bill and bring it to the Dáil.

Our group of Independent Senators submitted at least four names of prominent national and international citizens whom we would like to invite to the Chamber to address the House on civic and international matters. These are important figures from different areas, from both entrepreneurial and civil society. Does the Committee on Procedure and Privileges have any intention of inviting prominent citizens into the Chamber, especially before the end of February? I wish to keep the momentum going and I commend the Leader on what he has achieved already.

I also welcome the initiative by the group leaders and the leadership offered by the Leader of the House in welcoming the debate on the fiscal compact, which is very important. It is an innovation that we will be briefed by the Oireachtas Research and Library Service, publicly in the House. That is an important part of the Seanad's role.