I had the pleasure of being in Cork with the Slovakian ambassador, where we commemorated and celebrated Slovakian membership. As Cathaoirleach, I ask that we enter into a spirit of continued engagement with our European colleagues. I commend Senator Ward, who is in the Chamber this morning, in particular. He has been very strong and clear in his doing that in his public life, and I thank him for it. I commend Senator Craughwell on his engagement with the inter-parliamentary committee of which he is a member. Senator Daly, in his agricultural role, has been engaged in the European dimension, and I thank him.

The role of the European Union is very important. It has played and is beginning to play a role through a reform initiative in the Seanad. As Members will know, we had a series of addresses last year from Commissioner McGuinness. The Seanad also has a role in scrutinising the EU, under the guidance of the clerk to the committee, Mr. Ivan Farmer, through the Seanad Select Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments. We look forward to the debate today in the House.

I welcome to the House for the first time in her role as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I will ask Senator Daly to take the Chair.