The Cathaoirleach mentioned the Lithuanian community in Ireland. I eat a lot of fish and the man who looks after my fish is a lovely Lithuanian man. If I have a problem I ring him and he makes sure he has fresh cod, hake or whatever is on the menu. Even though the fishmonger is Lithuanian, the fish are Irish. I wish the ambassador well. There are long-standing good relations with his country and I am sure they will continue.

I rise on three issues. I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on an excellent occasion yesterday. It was historic and extremely well done and I was glad to be a part of the event. It does great credit to the Cathaoirleach; to his guest Senator Norris, the father of the House; and to former President Mary Robinson. It was well choreographed, I enjoyed it and it was a significant acknowledgement of the role of the Seanad. It was appropriate and auspicious. Well done to the Cathaoirleach.

This week is Epilepsy Ireland week. I have declared my relationship with that medical condition. I acknowledge that to the House and ask the Acting Leader to arrange a short debate of an hour or an hour and a half on the issue. We should realise there are 40,000 known epileptics in Ireland. It is believed the real number could be closer to 100,000. It is an unusual condition because it can creep up on the least expected occasion, as I know. It is worth debating and I would like that debate to happen.

I acknowledge and pay respect to the former President, Mary Robinson, with regard to a matter she raised yesterday with the Cathaoirleach as one the Seanad could deal with. That is the area of climate change. It is a burning question, as we all realise. I have grandchildren and would love that they would see in 30 or 40 years' time, when I am in a different situation, that we have looked after our planet and climate. We are making moves in the right direction but, as the former President said, the Seanad, through the Cathaoirleach's leadership, can play a greater role in the area of climate change. We ignore it at our peril. We see it in the waters, seas, land, changing climates, etc. I would like us to create an impetus on it. Eight years' time is too late. The clock is ticking and, unfortunately, we are running out of time.

I thank Senator O'Donovan for his leadership of the Seanad as Cathaoirleach. The issue he raised in relation to the former President is something the Seanad will take up. We have been set a challenge and need to meet it. A challenge by a former President is something we should listen to.

On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the ambassador to the Seanad Chamber. We offer solidarity to a fellow small country and fellow European Union member. These are worrying times in eastern Europe with all that is going on and possible threats between Russia and Ukraine, so we offer solidarity from a small country that has a long history with foreign powers.

I join in congratulations to the Cathaoirleach and his team in the Houses of the Oireachtas for the wonderful launch yesterday of Seanad100 with Senator Norris and Mary Robinson. It was wonderfully choreographed and introduced. I commend the work done by Mark Mulqueen and the team. It was a wonderful start to a year of engagement and recognition of the role of the Seanad in this State.

I attended with Senator Crowe a wonderful event on Sunday at Renmore Barracks, Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, in the heart of Galway city to mark the centenary of the handover of the barracks by British forces to the Irish Army. The Army showcased its splendour and wonderful trappings. There was a family day afterwards and a display of military equipment. Over recent weeks, there has been much media engagement on what is going on in terms of this country's defence capabilities. The Russian manoeuvres in our economic zone were, thankfully, pushed out. Questions have been raised about our military capability. The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was recently published and has been welcomed. It contains 69 main recommendations and 133 in total. It is time for a debate on the issue. I have not read the report in full. It is quite comprehensive. Serious issues are raised about where we are going in terms of our Defence Forces. What plans do we have? What level of engagement are we planning for? A number of options are stipulated in the report. It looks at different levels of ambition. The step-up to level 2 would require an additional €500 million per annum and level 3 would require expenditure of €3 billion per annum. These are serious questions we have to ask and which are worthy of debate. I know the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, is anxious to engage with key stakeholders in the Oireachtas. It is clear that the type of defence capability that we must retain and the level of resourcing we are willing to commit to equip and train our Defence Forces are worthy of debate in the House. The retention of Army personnel is a key issue, particularly in the first three years. It is not peculiar to Ireland but is worthy of debate. I urge the Acting Leader to contact the Minister to arrange a debate on the issue at the earliest opportunity.