Before I call on the Leader, I would like to thank a few people. On 25 October last, as many Members will know, I had what is called a near-death experience and was fortunate to survive and lucky to be in Dublin when it happened and that my wife spotted me going into a seizure, which I believe was caused by low sodium levels. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his wonderful work and the Acting Chairmen, who have kept the ship afloat while I was out.

I received a significant amount of good wishes across all parties and none. I am not sure if I deserved them all but I would like to put on record my grateful thanks to the emergency services. Sometimes we criticise hospitals here. Once my daughter dialled 999, they had a specific voicemail helping my son-in-law to do CPR on me at that stage. The first emergency responders on the scene were the firemen, who I believe were excellent. I have no memory of it but they were a bit harsh on my ribs and after the event, I felt as it I was in the front row of a scrum in the World Cup but that is part of recovery. I thank the fire brigade. I have no names. I also thank the 999 operator, the ambulance service and in particular, St. James's Hospital, where I went in as a public patient. I was there for six days and six nights and the treatment I received was second to none. Some time, when I am in better form, I will go back to thank them for what they did. We hear a lot about bad situations and cases where there are delays and so on but on 25 October at about midday, all the emergency services saved my life and I want to acknowledge and show respect to them for the wonderful work they do. Sometimes we never appreciate what the emergency services do but I have many thanks to offer them. I am not sure if I will ever be able to thank my wife for raising the alarm, because if she had not done or had left the room and left me on my own for 15 minutes, I would have gone to another abode, whichever place I am not sure. I am back to haunt the House again and I thank Members for their welcome. It was important to put that on the record because we often hear complaints about and criticism of our emergency responders and the ambulance service. I have nothing but the utmost and sincerest praise for them and some day, I hope I will be able to thank some of them in person. With that, I ask the Leader to respond.

I thank the 11 Members of the House who contributed to the Order of Business. I reiterate on my behalf and that of the Members a great welcome back to the House for the Cathaoirleach. His very genuine words are certainly ones we are glad he could utter in this Chamber. He was missed, not just because of his impartiality in the Chamber but because of his huge presence. I join with him in thanking all of the people involved in bringing him back to us today. Eileen deserves our utmost praise. It was great to see her here last night to be able to enjoy the turning on of the Christmas lights and to celebrate. It is important that we recognise the important work done by our first responders and those in emergency departments and the importance of being able to live life. We wish the Cathaoirleach many more years of being here and being with us.

Senators Gavan, Ruane, McDowell, Bacik, Devine, Higgins, Warfield and Wilson made reference to the issue concerning secretarial assistants in the Seanad. It is important to recognise the important work they do every day and the professionalism they bring to their job on our behalf. All of us agree on a number of things. One of them is that the starting point of pay is far too low. Second, there is a need for either the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform or the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to look at the role and work of secretarial assistants of Members of Seanad Éireann in particular because many of these people now bring a skill set, experience and educational qualification to bear in our offices that must be looked at in terms of just and fair pay. The role of the Seanad secretarial assistant has changed since it was first introduced in respect of the issue of social media. Senator Higgins referred to issues on amendments to Bills and being able to write Bills and amendments. The role has also changed in terms of communication, research and writing press releases, legislation and in many cases, engagement with members of the public and other bodies. The pay scale is one that has grown beyond what it was. This then needs to be addressed and I, and all of my colleagues in this side of the House, will support any endeavour that will ensure there is change and movement regarding the pay scale. Perhaps the Cathaoirleach could guide us in terms of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of Seanad Éireann being able to look at that as way of beginning the process from our position. It is one on which we will all find unanimity.

Senators McDowell, Leyden, Bacik and Wilson spoke about China and the issue addressed by Senator McDowell around Red China. I might have missed somebody else. It is important to recognise that the West embraced China on the pretext that there would be democracy and a greater adherence to human rights and that it would lead to a better democracy. Many of us recognise that this has not happened to the degree that we would like. This has manifested itself in the problems in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. This leads on to the importance of China to this country and to the West. I know President Trump and the House of Representatives in the US have made a number of issues around that in recent times. There is a need for an honest debate on our relationship with Taiwan. If we look back at what has happened since the 1980s in terms of democracy in Taiwan and the movement to a more open and democratic society, we can see that it is a flourishing and positive state. I personally would support the call to have a representative office in Taipei. The EU has an office there. I understand that it is a matter that needs to be addressed by Government. We have a "One China" policy and I am not going to rehash the debate we had last week.

On a point of order, most other European countries also have their own offices in Taipei.

I am not sure that it is not a point of order but I think he is trying to clarify something.

I would be happy to support that and to have a debate on the matter with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. What goes in tandem with that is the importance of human rights issues and the camps. I read during the weekend that the Chinese authorities were describing these camps as vocational training camps. That is the preposterous position they take. I am happy to support a debate on the matter.

Senators Horkan, Higgins and Bacik asked for a debate on cycling, which I would happy to facilitate. Senator Horkan also made reference to corporation tax. I will endeavour to have the Minister for Finance come to the House to discuss the matter. I know it has gone but I welcome the class from St. Pius X boys national school in Terenure and I wish Noah well in Carnegie Hall. It is a huge honour to be able to say that one played in Carnegie Hall. Those of us from a certain generation remember the Clancy Brothers and other great Irish acts playing there. To have a young Irish student playing there is a wonderful honour and we wish him every success.

I congratulate Senators Ruane, Warfield and Feighan on the game tonight. It is important that sport is a unifier and that we can advocate through sport, particularly with regard to the issue of mental health, and I commend the Senators on participating in the event and wish them well. It is important that we continue to highlight the issue of mental health. It is through events like tonight's game that we can shine a visible light on the matter.

Senator Bacik also raised the issue of hate speech. I would be happy to have that debate in due course. Senators Feighan and Higgins raised the vote in the House of Representatives last week, which was a wonderful decision to endorse the Good Friday Agreement and as Senator Feighan said, to ensure it is protected in light of Brexit because it is a very important document and it is important that we continue to protect it. I congratulate all involved in the matter.

To be fair to Senator Devine, she has raised the issue of the sarcoma consultant specialist in St. Vincent's hospital on a number of occasions in the House. I have met with patient representatives regarding the matter. It is wholly unacceptable that there is a delay in the appointment of a consultant because, as the Senator rightly said, this is a very specialised cancer that requires a specialist consultant and I support her in this regard. I am advised that the recruitment process is under way and that as of 8 November, St. Vincent's University Hospital has short-listed candidates for interview. As the Senator is aware, it is a voluntary hospital with its own board and recruitment policy and has full discretion around the appointment of a consultant.

Rather than divide the House on the matter, I ask the Senator to allow me to try to have the Minister come to the House next week. The Senator may then call a vote if I am unsuccessful or the Minister is unavailable. He is not available this afternoon. It is an important matter and I ask the Senator to work with me, as Senators Humphreys, Leyden and Hopkins did yesterday, and allow me the space to ensure the Minister comes to the House.

I believed I have addressed all of Senator Higgins's comments.