Senator Ó Donnghaile to speak, without interruption.

I thought the Members would be in much better form today, but nevertheless I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and I join other colleagues across the Chamber in acknowledging and thanking staff across the Oireachtas for everything they do for us throughout the term of the sitting. They keep us right, safe, fed and watered and do a great job, and we are very thankful to them. This is the case as we emerge from the very difficult circumstances of Covid-19 and all the burdens that placed on them.

I fully endorse what Senator Ruane said about our secretarial assistants. Regardless of anything else, we can come in here and argue about politics, which is only right and proper, but we can all agree that people are facing a cost-of-living crisis and that many people are having a really difficult time, and are stretched.

In spite of all the fantastic work that secretarial assistants do to support each and every one of us, the reality is that they earn less than the living wage. Many of them, even if they do not live in Dublin, spend a huge amount of their time in Dublin and struggle to survive on such pay. We, as a House, are united in the belief that we need to resolve this issue. We should feel unabashed and unashamed for trying to fix this situation for these workers who give such a good service to us, these institutions and, indeed, political life.

I will not debate the Private Members' motion now and simply urge colleagues across the House to support this motion, which was put forward by my colleague, Senator Warfield, who is a member of the Sinn Féin group. The motion concerns the night-time economy and night life while recognising that both of them are about much more than alcohol. They are about stimulating creativity, supporting communities, and developing cultural spaces and creative opportunities. We have a job of work to do to support this sector through the cost-of-living crisis, provide support and keep safe the workers in that sector and industries, and continue our culture, arts and language for which Ireland is known for throughout the world. We can do much better so I urge Senators to support the motion.

I join in the expressions of thanks to staff. I acknowledge the incredible work that people do and have done, especially as business intensifies. I thank all of the staff of the Seanad Office. I thank the staff of the Bills Office who I know must work overtime. I do not believe they should have to work so late because we should not rush legislation through in the way that we do. I acknowledge the incredible work done by the staff of the Bills Office.

I join in the words of acknowledgement and thanks expressed for secretarial assistants. Their case is a live issue. The secretarial assistants who work with Senators do extraordinary work on legislation. They deal with incredibly dense and important work. As mentioned, they pore over legislation line by line; my assistant goes through each line of all legislation with me. It is important that progress is made and that the SA issues are not put on the long finger or excuses made. I hope that by the autumn progress will be made to improve the terms and conditions for SAs.

I join the acknowledgement by colleagues right across this House that the Seanad is incredible and transformative, especially when Senators engage in discussion and work together in a constructive manner. I hope that we all will be fully rested when we resume in the autumn and have exciting new ideas about what we can achieve in the Seanad to mark the 100th year of Seanad Éireann. I refer to the idea of minority voices and the Seanad being able to lead on issues of equality and human rights. Indeed, the Seanad has an inspiring record of bringing forth laws that lead to major changes in society and legislation. In the autumn, let us add some new points to that chapter to mark the 100th year of the Seanad..

In terms of major changes, I want to acknowledge the launch today of the interim report by the Joint Committee on Gender Equality. The Deputy Leader and I are members of that committee. We have put in a very strong marker that indicates that we think Ireland should hold a referendum to change the Constitution in order that it properly acknowledges care. We must move away from narrowing things but make sure that care is acknowledged, and make sure that all families are properly reflected and acknowledged in the Constitution.

Finally, I wish to alert everybody and their parties to the fact that this summer one person will die from hunger every five seconds in the Horn of Africa. The famine is not solely due to what is happening in the Ukraine but is caused by climate change. Therefore, I urge Senators and their parties to endeavour to ensure that action is taken over the next three months.

A point well made.