I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague Senator Mark Daly.

I join other colleagues in paying tribute to those who lost their lives in Berkeley, California, yesterday, and to those who have been seriously injured.

Our thoughts are with their families at this time. It is a horrific tragedy and one can only imagine what the families are going through. I join my colleagues in remembering them this morning.

I endorse the comments by the leader of my party in the House, Senator Darragh O'Brien, on defibrillators this morning. It is an issue I have raised with others in the House on a number of occasions. I was present when a late colleague of ours passed away suddenly and have no doubt that if a defibrillator had been on the premises at the time, his chances of survival would have been greatly enhanced. I also agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien's proposal that CPR be taught in all of our secondary schools and PLCs. I understand it is part of the curriculum in our Youthreach training centres nationally, which is very much to be welcomed.

On Senator Gerard P. Craughwell's proposal on the representation allowance and other pay and conditions of councillors, I note that, with many other Members, I have raised this issue previously. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I have prepared legislation in this regard. However, I agreed not to pursue the legislation because a decision was taken in the House that the issue would be approached on an all-party basis.

We have already passed the motion to that effect.

A motion proposed by colleagues on my side of the House was unanimously supported and graciously accepted by the Leader. I have said on a number of occasions what we must do if we are to achieve anything for councillors, about whom we are all very concerned, given that most of us have been councillors ourselves and appreciate their workload. That workload has been enhanced by the changes on foot of Putting People First, which was passed by both Houses. I appeal again for unity in this regard to ensure that take an all-parties-and-none approach to the issue. It is only that way that we will achieve what we all want to achieve. Solo runs achieve nothing in my experience. Let us work together on this issue to I hope achieve something for the councillors.