It would actually be on the benefits of membership of the European Union.

I will come back to that matter. Last week we had a very good debate on Brexit. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, was in the House previously to discuss the future of Europe. I will be very happy to have a debate on the benefits of membership and the importance of the European Union to Ireland post-Brexit, but, first, to be fair, we have not given the Minister of State due notice of the request. Second, having a debate on the future of the Europe and the benefits of membership of the European Union in opposition to the debate on the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill would be unfair in the context of the request made by Senator Horkan. I will, however, be happy to accede to and accommodate his request in due course.

To respond to Senator Boyhan's comments on forestry, I will be very happy to have the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, come to the House to discuss the matter. The Senator is correct that it is a very important industry. Last week wonderful plans were unfurled and unveiled on the future of the industry. I will be happy to have the debate sought in the coming weeks.

Senator Conway-Walsh referred to VAT on food supplements. I am aware that she raised the issue at the finance committee last week. The important point is that VAT will be applied to food supplements at the standard rate. The Revenue Commissioners had made a concession and allowed a zero VAT rate to be applied to certain vitamins, minerals and fish oils. They have now made a decision to remove the concession, with effect from 1 March, such that VAT will be applied to all food supplements at the standard rate. It should be noted, however, that the zero VAT rate will continue to be applied to oral medicines, including certain folic acid, minerals and vitamin products licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, as well as to infant foods.

The Minister for Finance has agreed, as part of the discussion of the Finance Bill, to put in place a process that will conclude later this year in respect of the 2019 tax strategy group paper. The plan is to examine some of the policy choices in the VAT treatment of food supplements. That clarifies some of the points made by the Senator. I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to have that discussion in due course because it is an important one to have and there is uncertainty. It is important to recognise that zero rates apply to certain products regulated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority and infant foods. People should be clear on that point and it behoves all of us to inform people of it. The point made by Senator Conway-Walsh is valid in providing information and ensuring clarity and certainty.

There are many outside who are affected and I believe it would be useful to have a proper debate on the issue.

I would be happy to have that debate.

Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of housing. We will have that debate tomorrow with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy.

I am happy to accept the amendment proposed by Senator Ó Ríordáin to the Order of Business. I congratulate the Senator and Deputy Noel Rock on the Bill which is an important one.

Senator Horkan is right in that the debate on the future of Europe is important. He is right to highlight the benefits and value of the European Union to this state and in the context of the situation post Brexit.

The mistake the British people made was that they did not adopt the approach of the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny. It was to have a citizens' assembly and a constitutional convention on Europe as part of the discussion prior to the vote on Brexit. That might have helped in having an informed debate. As Senator McDowell said, this is an important day with regard to the future of Ireland and relations between Ireland and the UK. It is extraordinary to see today that the British Government is, according to newspaper and radio reports, now supporting an amendment that would eliminate the backstop to which it signed up and agreed. As the Senator said, it is about the protection of constitutionality not only for us but also for the North. We have come on such a great journey since the Good Friday Agreement. We have a duty, as does the UK Government as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to uphold what it stands for and means. I would be happy to have the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, come back when we know what has happened at Westminster today.

I am keen to send a message on my own behalf and on behalf of all of us to the effect that we stand with the Government in that we will not allow a situation where, as the Senator said, a number of mavericks within the Tory Party try to undermine our case. The Government has been consistent since day one. It is now incumbent on the UK Government and the UK Parliament to come forward with new plans such that we can have an agreement on 29 March. The backstop cannot be replaced. That is the bottom line. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, and the Taoiseach have been quite clear.

Senator Lombard made reference to the boundary change in Cork. We had a debate on the matter as part of the Local Government Bill. I would be happy to have the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, come to the House as part of the debate.

I appeal to Senator McDowell not to divide the House on the important issue of the future of Europe. The question is extremely important but putting it as part of a debate about the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill would be unfair to the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, who I believe is in Cork today. I will accept Senator Ó Ríordáin's amendment, but I will not accept the amendment proposed by Senator McDowell.