On yesterday's Order of Business there was reference to the procedures whereby distinguished people are invited to address Seanad Éireann. There are two categories of people - figures of international importance who largely give an address but might engage in some degree of dialogue and national figures who are subjected to a more intense grilling. I have written to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges requesting that it put Pope Francis prominently on this list. This was unanimously supported by all my colleagues. I am an Anglican; one of my colleagues is an atheist and the others are Catholics of various degrees of belief. I ask the Leader to do what he can to advance this possibility and I ask my colleagues to support this in a few words this morning. I know some of the Members who have already spoken support it, as I have spoken to them about it.

Pope Francis is somebody who might engage in dialogue. He would certainly say something fascinating and there would be no cliches from him. It is important at this time to have international figures who give joy and hope. International political figures have unanimously and entirely let us down. They never think of values. This is somebody who is expressing values of economic justice. He is speaking about decentralising the Vatican, attacking power and of going to Lampedusa and celebrating mass on an upturned boat. The language of his document, Evangelii Gaudium, is very interesting. He uses the language of ordinary people. He speaks as a sinner, as he says, and he speaks with Christ-like humility not just to Roman Catholics but to all baptised Christians and the rest of the world. His message is one we should seriously heed, regardless of whether we are religious, because he speaks about justice. Without justice we will get nowhere. The language is very different. Previous popes always spoke with terms such as "the magisterium" and the like, which bespoke the imperial past of Rome and a type of moral authority that came absolutely from the top. This man speaks to all and has a Christ-like humility.

Would the Pope come? I think he might. Nelson Mandela came to the Mansion House which is scarcely a location of great international renown. The Pope has an unusual background in that he spent several months in Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Dublin.

He knows the country and this city. He also knows the special role Ireland has played throughout history in the development of Christianity and, in particular, the Roman Catholic Church. I hope to table a motion early in the new year to the effect that he should be invited to address the House. I would like all Senators to indicate their support for such a motion today. In fact, I would like it to become an all-party motion. I recognise that what I am suggesting could only be done as part of a State visit because he is both a religious leader and a head of state. He could, of course, enjoy the usual courtesies with the President and the Government but if he spoke in the Seanad, we could open the Distinguished Visitors Gallery to Members of the Dáil. I have represented Seanad Éireann on several occasions at joint meetings-----

The Senator is way over time.

I beg the Chair's pardon. I will end by stating the members of the press could do what they always say they do, namely, watch proceedings on the monitors in their offices, and thereby leave the seats in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery free for others to use.

Senator David Norris's proposal is a an excellent one. Pope Francis recently appealed to the Lord to grant us more politicians with integrity and courage in order that we might try to eliminate poverty. That leads me on to the request I made yesterday that the House should engage in a debate on poverty, particularly in view of the fact that this is a difficult time of year for many people. In that context, I encourage and support Samaritans on the work it does. It has left an indelible mark on the hearts of the people. It has helped thousands of Irish citizens. The care branch of Samaritans is probably one of the busiest parts of the organisation in the context of the work it does. It is one of the branches selected to role out the new pan-European Samaritans freefone service. I wish Samaritans well in this endeavour and take the opportunity to congratulate the volunteers in the Clare branch who do wonderful work in providing a 24-7 service.

This will be the final Order of Business of the current session. It is always important to end on a positive note. In that context, I wish all of the people who help us and work with is - the staff, the ushers and so on - a very happy Christmas. We have a great deal to be thankful for as 2013 draws to a close. Significant progress has occurred during the past 12 months and the Taoiseach has provided the country with very strong and courageous leadership. He has outlined what we have achieved and his vision for the future in his state of the nation address on Sunday night last. That address went down exceptionally well. The Gathering was one of the highlights of 2013 and it led to an increase in the number of tourists who visited Ireland. What has been achieved is significant. Many more people came to the country during The Gathering than was originally envisaged. I am of the view that what is going to happen in 2014 will be even better. I would like a significant proportion of the €1.1 billion obtained through the sale of Bord Gáis to be invested in winter and summer tourism projects such as those involving the provision of greenways.