I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 18, Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2013 - Second Stage, be taken today. We have already agreed in principle that the Bill should proceed, and I see no reason that it should not be taken today. If we are going to do our work, this is how we should do it. Let us deal with the legislation and then send it down to the Dáil to make whatever amendments it wants. That House has been dithering on this issue for four years while, in the meantime, people's lives are at stake. The Bill is necessary to protect people in this State.

I watched with ironic amusement yesterday as the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, talked about giving the people the chance to have their say on the future of the Seanad. He and his colleagues in government did everything they could, throughout their political careers, to keep the people as far away as possible from the Seanad. That type of hypocrisy must be exposed. Even if the referendum is endorsed by the people, there will be two and a half years for the crowd in the other Chamber to find their courage. I expect the dead sheep will give them a bit of a push-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Yes. I have proposed an amendment to the Order of Business.

Second, as co-ordinator of our group, I democratically orchestrated a situation whereby Senator Rónán Mullen was permitted to speak first. I have no difficulty with that, but I wish to disassociate myself completely from his outrageous remarks.

Senator, please.

There is no respectfulness when we have the professional reputation of organisations and individuals being impugned and semi-criminal charges being made in this House. I disassociate myself totally from those remarks.

Will the Senator respect the Chair?

On the other hand, I support colleagues' remarks regarding the retirement of the Clerk of the Dáil, Mr. Kieran Coghlan, with whom I served for many years. He is a classic example of the best kind of parliamentary officer, being quiet, totally professional and widely knowledgeable. I wish him well in his retirement. I also take this opportunity, on the last day of the session, to express my thanks to the staff of the House who, despite very poor resources and backup, do an excellent job and are thoroughly professional. Likewise, the staff of the Oireachtas Library do an outstanding job in circumstances where they do not enjoy the support and technical advantages they should. We should be very grateful for their level of professional expertise.