Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will start on quite a sad note in extending my sincerest sympathies, and those of Fianna Fáil, to the family of Brendan Grace. We heard the breaking news about the very popular comedian and singer late last night or early this morning. We extend our sincerest sympathy to his family. We also extend our sympathy to the family of Noel Whelan. Many here will have known him from his political life and the many good campaigns with which he was involved over the years. Both of those families are waking up to big losses this morning. We were touched by the news that broke last night and early this morning.

I am curious about something that has just occurred to me. There are many councillors in the House today, particularly Fianna Fáil councillors. I have spoken to some of my fellow Senators about their pay and conditions and I have pressed the Minister on the matter on a number of occasions.The report on pay and conditions is long overdue, as the Leader is aware. As the summer recess is currently staring us in the face, I am curious as to whether he has any update on when this report will be published? Publishing it is the least we can do. A commitment was given that we would have a new regime in place before the local elections, which did not happen. It is unsavoury and is unfair to the councillors involved.

I ask the Leader to indicate who the Government will name as its second female candidate to the European Commission. As the Leader is aware, the new President-elect of the European Commission, Ms von der Leyen - not Senator Leyden, although he is another well-travelled eurocrat-----