I have two very pleasant duties. I am delighted to welcome one of our distinguished alumni, a former Senator, who is now a Deputy of much standing and great repute, Deputy O’Dowd, and his guests to the Visitors Gallery. They are very welcome and it is lovely to have them here. They happen to be geographic neighbours of mine, but Deputy O’Dowd will point that out later. It is a particular pleasure to welcome them.

It is also my great pleasure, and this is very significant, to welcome Gurteen Central National School. The principal there is Seamus Walsh, but there are two very interesting things from our point of view here. The grandniece of Senator Craughwell, Evie Cunniffe, is one of the teachers there as is his niece, Donna Broderick. It is certainly in the DNA of the Craughwells, who have been teachers for many a day. Senator Craughwell was president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, TUI. I am delighted to welcome the pupils, the teachers and the principal, who is with them. It is great to have them here along with the other guests.

I welcome all concerned. It is important to see the Houses of democracy in action first hand. They are their Houses.