I also welcome back all Members for this session. I have the sad duty today of extending a vote of sympathy to our colleague, Senator Deirdre Clune, on the death of her mother who passed away a few days ago and was buried this morning. As she was the wife of the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am sure all Members will join with me in extending our sympathy to Senator Clune on the sad passing of her mother.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re planning and development (planning enforcement) general policy directive 2013, to be referred to the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht; and No. 2, statements on local government reform, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and conclude not later than 5.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply to the debate not later than 5.35 p.m.