Before I ask the Leader to outline the proposed Order of Business, I welcome to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery the ambassador of Spain. We are delighted he is here in advance of Spain's national day and we are honoured he has come here to celebrate that day in the Seanad. Ireland and Spain have a long history. Indeed, my county, Kerry, celebrates the Treaty of Dingle of 1529. I know that the ambassador visited the town recently. Of course, there was also the Flight of the Earls, who ended up throughout Spain and wider Europe and whose beginnings led to the continued support from Spain for Ireland through to the present day. Spain’s support for Ireland during Brexit helped make sure there was no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland, a cause that was supported overwhelmingly throughout the European Union and, indeed, the United States of America.

About 40,000 Irish people go to the sunshine in Spain every year as permanent residents but more than 2.3 million Irish people go there for their holidays, while more than 20,000 people from Spain live in Ireland and work in our service industries as well as in the tech and pharmaceutical industries and our hospitals. Spain is the fifth largest market for Irish visitors and the connection goes back even to the Spanish Prime Minister, who came here as a student. We have welcomed many former Prime Ministers as well who have been here and continue to celebrate the long and enduring links between Ireland and Spain. I thank the ambassador for being here in advance of his country's national day. We look forward to celebrating that with him.

The ambassador is most welcome to the Seanad Chamber. The Order of Business is No. 1, report of the Seanad Committee of Selection, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the Horse and Greyhound Racing Regulations 2024 - referral to committee, to be taken on conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2024 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 11.45 a.m. and to conclude at 2.30 p.m. if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks by the Minister not to exceed 12 minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes and time may be shared, those of all other Senators not to exceed six minutes and the Minister to be given no less than 12 minutes to reply to the debate; No. 4, Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024 - all Stages, to be taken at 2.30 p.m. and the proceedings thereon shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion by 4 p.m. by the putting of one question from the Chair that shall, in respect of amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, the time allocated to the opening remarks by the Minister during the debate on Second Stage shall not exceed eight minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given no less than six minutes to reply to the debate, and Committee and Remaining Stages to be taken immediately thereafter; and No. 5, motion regarding the earlier signature of the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 4, without debate.