Before I call the Leader, I am sure Members of the House would like to join me in an expression of sympathy on the death of Alexis Fitzgerald, a former Member of this and the Lower House. I am sure the Leader will arrange for expressions of sympathy at a later date.

I join the Cathaoirleach in offering condolences to the late Alexis Fitzgerald's wife, Mary. He was an excellent representative in this House. We will arrange a commemoration of him in the House at a later stage.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re arrangements for the sitting of the House on Monday and Tuesday, 20 and 21 July 2015, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2014 - Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and adjourned not later than 1.45 p.m., with the contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; and No. 3, Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill - Committee and Remaining Stages, to be taken at 1.45 p.m.

We agree to the Order of Business. I join the Cathaoirleach and the Leader in expressing the sympathy of our group on the passing of the former Senator and Deputy Alexis Fitzgerald. There will be an opportunity to have more substantial expressions of sympathy, but I add my voice to the sympathy extended to his wife, the former Deputy and Minister, Mary Flaherty, and his children. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

In the same context, I am sure Members on all sides of the House will express their sympathy to a former Member of the House and current Deputy, Joe O'Reilly, on the death of his mother who I understand passed away yesterday.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.

In about 20 minutes the LE Eithne will steam up, if I can use that somewhat outdated nautical term, to Ringaskiddy in Cork Harbour following a most extraordinary ten weeks during which the Naval Service covered itself in glory. The crew will be returning as heroes in a modern sense, having saved the lives of more than 3,300 refugees who found themselves in one of the most inhuman environments. It was a new departure for the Naval Service and is one that will be added to its illustrious record. It is not often we have the opportunity to praise the Naval Service in these Houses. Generally, we tend to refer to the Defence Forces in the context of their peacekeeping activities. On this occasion, however, the House will join me in congratulating the Chief of Staff who is a naval officer and rear admiral and ask him to convey the thanks of this House and the people of Ireland to the 65 crew and medical staff who did such impressive humanitarian work in the Mediterranean in the past few weeks.

I understand the Naval Service will also be welcoming the addition of a new ship, the LE James Joyce, bringing the complement of Naval Service ships up to eight. Considering that we have such a huge area of sea to cover for fishery protection, this is a welcome addition to the Naval Service and fishery protection, particularly on the south and south-west coasts.

Members of this House have occasionally referred to the plight of the homeless. The most striking example of it occurred late last year when there was an outcry about the tragedies that occurred in the city as a result of homelessness. Quick and active resolutions were put in place at the time. Sadly, however, the homelessness issue has not gone away and a report today reveals the shocking news that 17 pregnant women are sleeping in nothing more than tents and the back seats of cars. They have no homes during their pregnancy. Homelessness is unacceptable in a modern society, regardless of what category of people it affects, but that 17 pregnant women cannot find refuge during their confinement is an indictment of a society that prides itself on having a humanitarian approach. Perhaps the Leader might convey the sentiments of the House, as I am sure all Members will agree with me on this issue, that something must be done immediately, similar to the proactive approach of the Government on the last occasion, with Fr. Peter McVerry and others who work in this area. This issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency. I understand only four beds are available from Anchora, the organisation that looks after pregnant women. I hope direct and immediate action will be taken in this regard.

On behalf of the Labour Party group, I offer condolences to the wife and family of former Senator and Deputy Alexis Fitzgerald. I also offer condolences to Deputy Joe O'Reilly. With many other Members, I served with him in the previous Seanad, from 2007 to 2011, and he is a great friend and colleague. I am very sorry to hear of the death of his mother.

I join Senator Paschal Mooney in offering a huge commendation from across the Seanad to the crew of the LE Eithne on the immense humanitarian work they have done. A number of us have spoken about it in this House, but it is hugely positive to see the amazing work they have done and to read some of the detailed accounts of the rescues in which they were engaged and the many thousands of migrants they rescued. In that context, I ask the Leader to schedule a debate, early in the new session, with the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, on the implementation of the report on the direct provision system that was published recently. I note that the Minister of State has been appointed to head an implementation body to assess how the recommendations made in the report can be put in place. Clearly, when we discuss migrants, the issue is not just migrants being rescued in the Mediterranean but also migrants living in Ireland. Many Members of the Seanad have worked on this issue over a long period. The recommendations of the working group on direct provision are welcome, but Members should keep a watching brief on this and hold regular debates on the issue.

I also support the call for a debate early in the next session on homelessnes. After the justified outcry last Christmas the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, provided for a significantly increased investment in services for homeless persons, but we should have a debate on the issue again in the House.

I also seek a debate in the new session on child care in the light of the report published this week by Early Childhood Ireland. The report, Footsteps for the Future, by Dr. Stephen Kinsella from the University of Limerick looks at the funding of early childhood or preschool education. In particular, there is an analysis of the provision of the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme year and the provision of child care by service providers. However, we should have a broader debate on child care, looking at the matter not just in the context of early childhood education in the three to five year old cohort but also child care for infants and children up to three years of age. I am aware that a report is due on this aspect. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, has commissioned a working group report on how best to ensure accessible, affordable and high quality child care for parents and children in Ireland. As the report is due to be launched shortly, it would be timely for the Seanad to have a debate on it when we have considered its findings. It would give us an opportunity to have an input.

I echo the sentiments of Senator Paschal Mooney and the Leader on the loss of Alexis Fitzgerald, a most popular, friendly and courteous man to meet. I extend the sympathy of the Independent Senators to his wife, Mary.

It is welcome that two of the students injured in Berkeley, Niall Murray and Jack Halpin, are returning to Ireland this week. For them and the others who survived that tragedy - Sean Fahey, Conor Flynn, Clodagh Cogley, Hannah Waters and Aoife Beary - we wish that the summer will be a time in which they can recover fully. We also think of the other foreign disasters for Irish people in the early summer, particularly for the Carty family in County Meath and the Hayes family in Athlone who were bereaved in the Tunisian event.

Like Senator Ivana Bacik, I welcome the work of Dr. Stephen Kinsella. He is around these Houses quite frequently; he attended a finance committee meeting last week. He is a most interesting person to meet on many aspects of how the economy might develop. Perhaps we might see more of him.

I hope the people in Greece and Germany will not put a currency before a country. There has been too much of that. One does not make a god of a currency. It is simply a means of exchange between countries and has received far too much prominence.

I welcome the good news that three quarters of the population have high or very high satisfaction with life in this country, despite all of our problems. It brings to mind the words of a former Member of the House, W. B. Yeats:

Cast your mind on other days

That in the coming days may be

Still the indomitable Irishry.

Despite banks, their accounts and so forth, we are still doing well, surviving and emerging from these great disasters. That is a positive note to mention. Some people will be taking up their buckets and spades, as the newspapers put it, but the banking committee will be working for another two weeks. We will continue to delve into these matters and Members will not be disappointed by the work of Senators Susan O'Keeffe, Marc MacSharry and Michael D'Arcy. This House has been splendidly represented on the committee and it will be a good report.