There was no amendment to the Order of Business moved by anyone. I am quite clear about that.

Was there not?

No.

I thought someone had, because Senator Conway-Walsh was quick to second it.

Yes but I am very careful and I checked.

I know Senator Conway-Walsh was quick to second it, but-----

Just to clear the air for a point of view-----

In order to assist Senator Craughwell, the import of whose remarks I understand, I will try to get the Minister of State to come to the House in the next week. Given that we are in the immediate post-Ophelia period and that a review will be carried out, I would be very happy to have him come to the House to speak about the matters the Senator raised. I know the Cathaoirleach has said that no division has been called but I just wish to assist the Senator in that.

Senator Humphreys's remarks about a debate on climate change and the measures to address our carbon footprint are well made. I would be happy to try to have that debate in the coming weeks. It is a continuation of a debate that we have been having and which the Senator initiated.

We are fortunate that no more lives have been lost and that we did not incur greater damage than we did. As many Senators have said, it epitomises the good about being Irish. There was a spirit of friendship and community around yesterday. People were checking on neighbours and calling to old people. People who were involved in meals on wheels were travelling at difficult times to ensure that people's meals were delivered.

As stated, those who did not heed the advice yesterday should be condemned. We are very fortunate in the wonderful public servants that we have. When we get it right, we get it right.

Senator Warfield referenced businesses, many of which closed early yesterday. The advice from the Government was for people to remain indoors and not to travel, and, thankfully, this advice was heeded. In regard to the businesses that were open, some of them were manned by family members. I cannot answer for the city of Dublin but I know that the city of Cork was pretty much closed, with the exception of one or two small shops. If there are particular issues of which the Senator is aware, I would be happy to bring them to the attention of the Government.

On the issue of financial cost, the Taoiseach has said that local authorities will be assisted. Every effort must be made to ensure that insurance companies work with home owners, businesspeople, schools and sporting organisations who have suffered loss of or damage to their property.

I commend all who assisted in ensuring homeless people were housed during the storm. It was a well co-ordinated, multi-agency, voluntary and community-orientated effort.

Senator Dolan referred to the provision yesterday of Irish sign language interpretation. Following on from the raising of the issue with me yesterday by a member of staff from the Senator's office, I raised the matter with the Minister, Deputy Murphy, who acted immediately. I welcome the members of the deaf community who are in the Visitors Gallery for the next item on today's agenda. It is important that the deaf community is assisted in every possible way by the organs of the State, in particular RTÉ. Senator Dolan also referenced those who are disabled and house-bound and the need for a register of same. Following a review of the events of Storm Ophelia, we will be able to put in place a much more co-ordinated response.

Senators O'Reilly and Butler raised the issue of trees. Senator O'Reilly highlighted the issue of the close proximity of trees to our roadways and motorways. Notwithstanding that this is an important issue, Senator Reilly also made the important point that trees are the lungs of the world, which points to the urgency of having the heritage Bill enacted. We need hedgerows to be cut back and moved back from roadways and we need proper maintenance of our roads. I accept that we need trees, but it is equally important that we get this right given the potential for damage, as witnessed yesterday.

It is not the fault of the trees.

I refer the Senator to what occurred yesterday.

The roads were built incorrectly.

Allow the Leader to continue without interruption, please.

I accept that trees are the lungs of the world, but I also agree with Senator Reilly on the need for policy in this area.

Senator Swanick referred to the issue of loneliness, isolation and single person households and the UK Campaign to End Loneliness. I would be happy to provide time for a debate on that issue.

Senator James Reilly also spoke about the EU fund used to assist people. I would be happy to provide for a debate on that issue with the Minister.

Senator Mulherin referred to the European Commissioner for Agriculture's public consultation on the agriculture market and fairness in the EU food supply chain. I welcome that the majority of NGOs and member states are engaging in that process. Senator Mulherin has on many occasions raised in this House the need for fairness in regard to meat factories and retailers. I would be happy to provide time for that debate.

I join Senator Black in condemning the death of Ms Galizia, the eminent journalist who brought the Panama papers to the fore. An attack on a journalist is to be deplored and the killing of a journalist is to be strongly condemned. It can have no place in any democracy. I join in Senator Black's condemnation of the killing of Ms Galizia. We all cherish freedom of speech and the right of people to write, which in any democracy should be sacrosanct. Any killing is to be deplored.

Senator Gallagher raised the vote of the SNAs for industrial action. The important point here is that the Government increased the number of SNAs in the budget. The place to engage on this is the Department of Education and Skills. The allocation model is based on the school need and the needs of individual pupils. However, I will invite the Minister to the House to discuss the issue.

Senators Ó Clochartaigh and Devine raised the issue of Catalonia. That situation is ongoing and we would all welcome anything that could be brought to bear to resolve the matter. However, it must be rectified internally in Spain first. The Senators can shake their heads but we have different viewpoints on how it can be resolved. That is what should happen first. If anybody is detained illegally for whatever reason they should certainly be supported in their attempts to regain their freedom.

We should have a debate on it.

I join Senator Ó Clochartaigh in offering condolences to the family of the late Feargal Ó Cuilinn a fuair bás le déanaí. Bronnaim mo chomhbhrón ar a chlann agus a chairde. Níor bhuail mé leis an Uasal Ó Cuilinn riamh, but it is clear from listening to Senator Ó Clochartaigh that he was a man who was very strong in his convictions about the Irish language and his work in that regard. I offer sympathy to his family and friends on his tragic death.

Senators Mullen, Colm Burke and Hopkins raised the changes in stamp duty in the budget and capital gains for land sales. I am sure that matter will be clarified and debated further when the Finance Bill comes before the House. It is important to highlight the many positive aspects of the budget relating to agriculture. Notwithstanding that, the Senators referred to consanguinity relief and the transfer of lands, which they wish to see addressed.

Senator Norris spoke about the Press Council and legislation. I do not have up-to-date information on the matter but I commend him-----

Perhaps we could have a debate on it.

I will be happy to arrange that debate. I commend the Senator on winning his ten libel actions.

On the matter raised by Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, the Cathaoirleach adjudicates on the issue at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP. To be fair to you, a Chathaoirligh, you have been fair to both Senator Norris and Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell in allowing them to interact and engage. As Leader of the House, I have offered to support them in any way I can to take part in debates. I have offered time to both Members on the issues. We should allow Members who are not part of a group to participate in debates in the House. I will be happy to facilitate that in so far as I can. I have never stopped Senator Norris putting a Bill before the House. However, technical groups are created and it is a matter for the CPP. Given that two Members are discommoded for not being part of a group, I can offer both of them membership application forms for Fine Gael and they would be more than welcome to join us. We would love to have both of them.

Or Fianna Fáil.

I join Senator Devine in congratulating Professor Hogan on her election as chair-----

She is president.

I beg the Senator's pardon. The gender pay gap was raised last week and I replied on it then. Hopefully, the Minister will come to the House to discuss that.

I hope I have responded to all the Members. Finally, I wish to thank all of our emergency personnel for their tremendous work yesterday and I join all Members in sending sympathy to the families of Clare O'Neill, Michael Pyke and Fintan Goss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.

On a point of order, I wish to point out to the Leader that Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's point was not that leaders be taken first and so forth, but the way in which people who are not leaders but members of groups who come in late and whose contributions are taken before those of the Independents.

That is not a point of order.

I believe it is a question of the order of precedence.

I am sorry I thought-----

Senator, this is a matter for the CPP. It should not even be discussed on the Order of Business.

It is about the Order of Business.

If there is a motion or a letter before the CPP it will be dealt with at the next meeting of the CPP, which is due to take place next week.