Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I will follow the Leader's lead. It is important that the Minister for Finance will be here today and, therefore, I will not propose amendments to the Order of Business. For us mortgage arrears is an important matter for discussion, particularly in light of the publication of the Personal Insolvency Bill. I will leave my remarks on the matter until the Minister is here. As we discussed last week, there might be an opportunity to examine the Personal Insolvency Bill in the next week or so.

I welcome and congratulate the Leader, the Cathaoirleach, the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Senator Martin McAleese for holding an informative and successful event with the Orange Order presenting to the Seanad for the first time. We had an open debate and, importantly, it was not an exercise in back slapping. We all may share different views but unless we talk to each other and engage in debate then we will never move forward together. Today, it has been proven once again that the Seanad has a real and effective purpose and not just on the legislative side. For all of those who contributed to the earlier debate it was a significant day. It was great to see the Orange Order here. I would like us to continue, as has been done under the Leader's stewardship, to extend invitations to relevant civic groups and individual across the country, both in Ireland and internationally.