I dtosach, ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl do mhuintir agus do chlann Phádraig Ó Méalóid, a bhásaigh roinnt laethanta ó shin. Bheadh aithne mhaith ag daoine ar Phádraig mar chraoltóir agus iriseoir. Fear álainn den scoth a bhí ann. Suaimhneas síoraí dó siúd.

I am concerned about the time available to debate the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill. The Leader is optimistic about debating Report Stage tomorrow but my experience of these Houses has taught me that the Bill will-----

We are not debating Report Stage tomorrow.

I thank the Leader for clarifying the matter.

I have called for a debate on rural issues on numerous occasions. We have had some interesting discussions at the Joint Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs about the depopulation of rural areas, particularly peripheral areas. We have called for the debate in the South on numerous occasions. The Leader has said that he wants the debate and will arrange it. Will the debate take place this side of Christmas?

We also need a debate on the issues that affect the Irish diaspora this side of Christmas. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe McHugh, visited the United States recently and spoke to people there. In the aftermath of the US presidential election, I have been contacted by many documented and undocumented people who live in the United States but are concerned about their situations. It is important to find out what the Irish Government will do to support them. The Irish diaspora will also be affected by the Government's decision to row back on its promise to introduce presidential voting rights during its lifetime.

I support Senator Black's comments about families who suffer as a result of a family member abusing alcohol. The Senator is right to raise this important issue and it should be included in the dialogue on the legislation she mentioned. I commend her on arranging a presentation on the matter. Unfortunately, I cannot attend because I must attend the debate on housing legislation in the House later in the afternoon.

I want to ask the Leader about No. 9 of the non-governmental motions. I refer to the short motion that deals with the situation where the Bank of Ireland unilaterally withdrew facilities from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The motion states: "That Seanad Éireann strongly condemns the Bank of Ireland for its arbitrary and undemocratic decision to close the accounts of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and requests that they immediately reverse this decision.”

When I raised this matter first, there was pretty unanimous agreement throughout the House. My understanding was that the Leader had indicated that he would make Government time available. I am not sure if there has been a row back and I hope not. I am sure that the Leader's good feelings and decency would indicate that we will debate the motion. When it is envisaged that the motion will be debated? Is it envisaged that will be dealt with during Government time? Will it be possible to debate it before Christmas?