Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Darragh O'Brien. I ask the Leader if he can provide an update on whether the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, will come to the House this week given that it is our last opportunity to make statements on the pilot issue. I will reserve my right to propose an amendment to tomorrow's Order of Business if the response is not positive.

I wish to praise a world record breaking hero, Steve Redmond from Ballydehob in west Cork, who met one of the most enduring challenges ever faced by a human being. He succeeded in a task of Herculean proportions in passing the Oceans 7 challenge, which incorporates swims between Ireland and Scotland, the English Channel, a channel in New Zealand and the Tsugaru Channel in Japan, which he swam last Saturday. It is an enormous achievement for any individual, particularly one who is not known as a long-distance swimmer. It was a test of endurance, mental strength and tenacity and we should acknowledge what he has achieved. His world beating record is similar to that achieved by the great explorers to the North Pole and the South Pole and those who climbed Mount Everest. The final swim covered a distance of 27 km in difficult seas. As a west Cork man, an Irishman and a European he deserves the accolades of this House.