Ba mhaith liom "Wilkommen in Irland" a rá leis na toscairí as an Ostair.

Earlier Ms Catherine Seeley, a candidate in the Seanad by-election, was in the Visitors Gallery. She had to leave early, although it was not because of the ding dong------

No canvassing is allowed in the Chamber.

I am not canvassing. The ding dong contributions did not deter her because I am sure she would love to come back to the House and take part in a fruitful debate. Anybody who would like to vote for her can still consider this.

Senator David Norris raised a serious issue relating to the potential visit of the President to a direct provision centre. Will the Leader seek clarification from the Minister for Justice and Equality as to why the President was not allowed to visit the Athlone centre and whether that issue can be overcome in the future? It is ironic given that last Friday he opened the new offices of the Irish Refugee Council. He has a serious interest in these areas.

It is frustrating to hear the former Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, in radio interviews and to read what he has said in newspaper articles when, as Senator Sean D. Barrett said, we had long, heated and detailed debates in the House about the setting up of Irish Water during which we in the Opposition pointed out the unmitigated disaster it would be. It is unfortunate that, belatedly, he is admitting it is an unmitigated disaster. The bonus culture in the company is galling to the people who are being asked to sign up for water charges, water meters, etc. We need another debate about what is going on in Irish Water. County councils and local people have no idea where water and sewerage schemes that were to be done by the councils now stand. The Costello regional water scheme in Connemara was to proceed before Christmas, but we have been told that the second part of it is under review. All this was instigated by our incoming EU Commissioner, Deputy Phil Hogan.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Senator Pat O'Neill praised Deputy Phil Hogan and questioned the way Sinn Féin voted. We have no issue about how our Members voted. They voted for the rights of the citizens in Europe and if the former Minister's record on property taxes, Irish Water, etc., is anything to go by, we should judge him by how he proceeds in Brussels.

Nonsense.

Sinn Féin waited all summer for that day and then messed it up.

Will the Leader organise a debate on Irish Water as soon as possible because it is an unmitigated disaster that needs to be rectified?