The acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Terry Leyden, referred to the Water Services Bill 2014. What happens in the other House is not a matter for us, but there were 40 hours of debate. If we want 80, 90 or 100 hours of debate, the debate will not be curtailed in any way.

Ninety days.

I oppose the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. We will deal with the Bill in the same way as we would any other in this House. We will not guillotine the debate and did not do so the last time.

We will come in over Christmas, if necessary.

Members will be able to debate the Bill for as long as they wish, as is proper.

It is a complete waste of time.

Please allow the Leader to respond to the questions raised.

If it is a waste of time, there is no point in debating it at all, but that is up to the House to decide. I am totally in its hands on how long it wants to have to debate the Bill on every Stage.

I commend the Leader of the House.

Work will continue as usual. We will have an Order of Business tomorrow which will be no different from any other day. We are not in an emergency or anything like it. It is a time for cool heads.

Like everyone else, Senator Terry Leyden welcomed the decision of President Obama to normalise relations with Cuba, but as the Senator pointed out, there are a lot of steps to be taken in the meantime. Senators Mary White, Michael Mullins and David Norris praised the role played and the leadership shown by Pope Francis in brokering a deal between the two countries. It is welcome that such negotiations are ongoing. I am sure there is still a long road to be travelled, but we wish the two countries well in their negotiations. I note the point made by Senator David Norris about the freezing of the accounts, an issue he raised some months ago. I hope it will be rectified as a matter of urgency.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the possibility of it losing its headquarters. It would be regrettable if that were to happen.

I will certainly make representations to the Minister. I do not know whether she can interfere with NAMA on it, but I hope some solution can be found in that regard.

The Senator also called for a debate on the need to review the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013. We will certainly give consideration to that issue in the new year.

Senators Aideen Hayden and Feargal Quinn spoke about Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port. They mentioned the possibility that Stena Line would leave Dún Laoghaire Harbour. There is no doubt that such a move would be a massive blow to Dún Laoghaire. I remember the damage done to my own city of Waterford when a major carrier left the local port. That decision continues to damage the Port of Waterford. I note the points were made about the competition between Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port and will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the relevant Minister. Competition between ports is of paramount importance. Senator Feargal Quinn referred to the competitiveness of Shannon Airport and the benefits that had accrued to the area and the tourism sector as a result. The matter is certainly worth considering. The Senator also referred to the need to be very vigilant in monitoring energy costs in the interests of competitiveness.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton welcomed the agreement on the criteria to be used in the designation of the European capital of culture. I am sure it will be welcomed in all cities, including Galway and Waterford, and by all those Senators who have an interest in the tender competition to be granted that prestigious designation.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton also praised the work of Samaritans and highlighted the availability of the organisation's helpline. We all agree that during the yearsd Samaritans has done excellent voluntary work the length and breadth of the country.

Senator Martin Conway praised the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He mentioned that a hotel in County Clare had kindly offered to give generously of its time and money to help people less well off than others over the Christmas period.

I do not see the need for the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Gerard P. Craughwell. As I said, we will have plenty of time to debate the Water Services Bill 2014.

Senator Michael Mullins welcomed the excellent tourism figures. He said the increase of 8% in tourist numbers this year had generated great benefits for the economy. I suggest this has resulted from various measures taken by the Government, including the VAT reduction and the removal of the travel tax. The Senator welcomed the introduction of new flights and routes planned for 2015 and 2016, which will lead to further tourism benefits in the years ahead. The Senator also reminded us of the importance of thinking about road safety over the Christmas period.

We thank the Whip of the Fianna Fáil group, Senator Diarmuid Wilson, for the ongoing provision of a pair for one of our colleagues who is severely incapacitated. We reciprocated that practice during the term of the last Government when someone on the other side of the House was seriously ill. It is a good practice, for which we thank the Fianna Fáil group.