I support Senator Paul Coghlan's request for a debate on the role of the Standards in Public Office Commission and our role in respect of the latter. What Senator Gilroy was rightly trying to raise was the issue of lobbying. Part of the Government's reforms will be a register of lobbyists. If the Seanad engaged in a debate on how lobbyists work, how we are involved with them and how they interact with us - regardless of whether they are located here or abroad - that would be a valuable exercise in order to at least show that we understand the importance of this matter.

Hello?

I ask Senator Norris to turn off his phone.

It is not my phone. I left mine outside.

I was about to say that using terms such as "dead sheep" probably shows less respect for the Seanad than Senator Norris would like. Others on this side of the House who used expressions to the effect that we will all have "blood on our hands" are being equally disrespectful.

I never said that.

That is correct. However, the Senator did use the expression "dead sheep".

Yes, I did.

Does Senator O'Keeffe have a question for the Leader?

I am glad to see that the dead sheep has been revived.

The description is well deserved.

That is disgraceful.

Does Senator O'Keeffe have a question for the Leader?

I have supported Senator Paul Coghlan's call for a debate in respect of the Standards in Public Office Commission. I was about to state, in the context of disrespectful comments, that when we return in the autumn there may be a calmness in the House. In that context, I thank the staff of the Seanad for their endless patience during a difficult few weeks. We look forward to Jody Blake's return in the autumn.

I wish to inform those who may be available in August that next week, as part of the Yeats Summer School, I will be hosting possibly the first debate on the future of the Seanad with two wonderful former Senators, Dr. Mary Henry and Mr. John Horgan. We will be discussing the importance of scrutiny, the role the latter plays in politics and the role the Seanad has played in this regard. I trust this will form part of a robust debate on the Seanad and its future.