I wish to discuss an issue with the European Commission's annual economic recommendations and its commentary on Ireland. It has issued a warning to Ireland that the property tax take here is too low - at 1%, it is below the EU average of 1.6% - and that the country is too reliant on volatile revenue sources. No wonder people are becoming disconnected from the European Union on a range of issues. I have always strongly opposed the local property tax. One particular party had a slogan a few years ago that it was the wrong tax at the wrong time. It is the wrong tax at any time as it is grossly unfair. My next door neighbour who is widow in receipt of a basic pension pays the same amount in property tax as I do. This is something that needs to come into the light in public debate within days, not months. This is a very appropriate juncture in politics for the issue to be raised by all political groups and none. In its annual economic recommendations the Commission also speaks about the risk of there being some deviations from EU budget rules this year and next. It speaks about issues related to a tax on gasoline and diesel. Given many of the issues on which it touches in the case of Ireland, we should have a debate on the report. Will the Leader arrange for the relevant Minister to come to the House to discuss the critical recommendations being circulated by the Commission as they affect Ireland?

Ba mhaith liom i dtús báire comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Seanadóir Clifford-Lee agus a fear céile, John, ar bhreith a linbhín óg. Guím chuile ádh orthu. I congratulate Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee and her husband, John, on the birth of their child and hope everything goes well for them.

I wish to be associated with the sympathy conveyed to the people of Manchester and the families and friends of all those who were hurt, injured and lost. I was privileged to be at the St. Patrick's Day parade in the city several years ago when I visited the Irish centres. I was born and brought up not too far away from it. What happened there was despicable and our hearts go out to everybody at this very tragic time.

I remind Senators that we will have a guest in the AV room today, Mr. Raül Romeva, the Catalan Foreign Minister. He will be there at 4.30 p.m. and I hope some Senators will be able to come and listen to him. He will update us on the political position in Catalonia where, as is happening in many European countries, things are changing very rapidly. The update will be most welcome. Perhaps we might even have a debate at some stage on issues affecting Catalonia.

Ba mhaith liom freisin leasú eile a mholadh. I will not second the proposal made earlier as it will be seconded by one of my colleagues. However, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business which I have discussed with the Leader that No. 11 be taken without debate before No. 1. Tá mé ag iarraidh an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta, 2017 a chur os comhair an Tí inniu. Moltar sa Bhille simplí go leor seo go dtabharfar ar ais an toghchán le haghaidh bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta. I mo thuairim, tá easpa oscailteachta agus easpa trédhearcachta in obair an údaráis. Tá géarghá againn athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar ról Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le cruthú fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Beimid ag súil leis sin a bhogadh ar aghaidh. At some stage in the future we may also have a debate on the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the make-up of the board and the role of the organisation in creating employment and keeping Gaeltacht communities vibrant. B'fhéidir go mbeidh an Ceannaire ábalta cuidiú leis an leasú atá curtha chun cinn agam agus leis an díospóireacht amach anseo.