We agreed to have further statements on the issue tomorrow. This can be agreed between the Whips after the Order of Business.
Senator O'Keeffe referred to the various implications of the Companies Act in connection with this file. I understand the Minister is looking at this at present. Some Senators asked for an extention of the debate on the beef industry. A commitment has been given in the House to have a further debate on this issue. I do not think it would be in the interests of the industry if we extended the debate to the entire beef industry. We will leave that for another day.
I also welcome the results of the referendum in South Africa. I wish everyone in that country well in the aftermath of the referendum.
With regard to a request for debate on the bank strike, a commitment has been given to have that debate. As an industrial dispute is taking place I do not believe it would be proper to have a debate on this issue in the House. As soon as the dispute is concluded successfully this House will have an opportunity to debate the banking system and the role of the banks in our economy. A debate on the Culliton report will be held on 8 or 9 April.
Senator O'Toole referred to new legislation. As I said, I will soon have information on this. I have met with the new Government Chief Whip and I know that at least two Bills will come before this House. I hope shortly to have definite information on these.
Many Senators referred to the Green Paper on Education. We will await the publication of the Green Paper before we have a debate on education. I have no doubt that previous Ministers' for Education were more than willing to come into the House to debate educational issues. I am sure the present Minister will be more than willing to come to the House to debate educational issues of importance.
Senator Lydon and others referred to the need for a debate on the Maastricht Treaty and its implications. I understand that a White Paper on this issue will be issued either this week or next week. This House will then be ready to debate this matter. I gave a commitment last week that a debate would be held on the western economy and regional development. The wording of a motion on this issue will be formulated with the agreement of the Whips.
Senator O'Toole was worried that reforms would not be introduced by the end of this month. I am more than hopeful that the points raised by Senators O'Toole, Cosgrave and others in regard to reform will be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Hopefully there will be all-party agreement to these reforms. I understand that the proposed amendments to Standing Orders which were sent by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to the various parties have been agreed. These relate to Private Members' time, motions on the Adjournment, a fixed time for the Adjournment of the House, statements to the House, matters of concern to Members, research facilities and Standing Order 29. I sincerely hope these reforms can be put in place in the not too distant future. I gave a commitment that these reforms would be introduced during March and it will not be my fault if this is not the case. I hope the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will ratify the reforms so that they can be brought before the House as soon as possible in the interest of the efficient running of the House. I think everyone will agree that spending one hour debating the Order of Business is not in the best interests of the House.