Before passing on, I am a little surprised that we did not pass a vote of sympathy with the President in his great sorrow, and, if I am not too late, I beg respectfully to propose that we place on record our sincere sorrow at the loss that the President and his wife have sustained by the death of their son.
Private Business. - Business of Seanad.
I have given the matter full consideration, and I do not think it is a parliamentary thing to do on this occasion.
Lest there should be any misunderstanding of this matter, and in view of the fact that Senator O'Neill has raised it, I may say that it was discussed between the members of the Executive. It was found that there was no precedent for doing it in the other House, and that it might be an undesirable precedent to establish, and, accordingly, it was decided from every point of view that it would be better to leave the matter alone. It was felt that if that was the ruling in the other House it was better not to mention the matter here to-day.
I am very glad that the Minister for Lands has made that statement. I may say that we considered this matter here some years ago and came to the same conclusion.