That was quite a lengthy Order of Business. Senator Wright requested a discussion on the Brinks-Allied robbery. I spoke to the Minister for Justice earlier about that matter. She feels she gave a full statement to the other House but she will be happy to come to the Seanad, perhaps next week, should it be necessary. I join Senator Wright in condemning the shooting of Veronica Guerin who many of us on this side of the House got to know when she was secretary to the Fianna Fáil delegation to the New Ireland Forum. The shooting was reprehensible. All of us wish her a speedy recovery. We see this incident for what it was — a dastardly attempt to influence honest reporting.
Senator O'Toole requested a debate on education. The Minister for Education would be happy to attend the Seanad in two or three weeks time for a long and open ended debate on current issues in education.
A number of Senators, including Senator Quinn, Senator O'Toole and Senator Dardis, mentioned the issue of votes for emigrants. I would dearly love the Bill to be initiated in this House. However, that is not possible. Under the Constitution a Bill to amend the Constitution must be initiated in the other House so we are precluded from initiating such legislation in the Seanad. However, there is no reason we could not have a debate before the Bill is introduced on the general question of votes for emigrants. I am sure the Government would be interested in hearing the views of Senators even at an early stage. I would see this as part of the debate I hope to initiate soon on Seanad reform. A section of that debate could deal with the question of votes for emigrants. I also take Senator O'Toole's point about the extension of the franchise to graduates of other universities besides NUI and Trinity College. That case was often made here by Senator Jackman when she was a Member. It is a matter which again should come under the general heading of Seanad reform.
Senator Dardis requested a debate on Northern Ireland. Debates on Northern Ireland in this House have always been sensitive and careful. On this occasion, while joining with Senator Dardis in total condemnation of the act of sabotage committed yesterday whose only purpose can have been to hinder the peace process, I tend to agree with Senator Wilson's view at this point. It is better to wait until the work on the framework document is complete before holding that debate.
Senator Enright raised the question of Chechnya. If we can find time for a debate on that subject we will. I am not too open minded about an immediate debate on the Road Traffic Act at present. The Government is re-examining this Act and submissions can better be made within the individual parliamentary parties and to the Minister. If the Government then proposes changes, or if it does not, after a certain time we could then have a discussion. A debate on the Act at this moment would not be helpful, but I could be wrong on this.
With regard to the point raised by Senator Morris, I would like to discuss with other party leaders and other party groups if there was some way in which we could suitably mark the fiftieth anniversary of Auschwitz. An impromptu approach is not the way to proceed. Perhaps we could have a discussion on this, but the House should find a way of marking the event.
There are a number of requests for debates on specific foreign affairs issues. The reality is that we can do our best but we probably will not get to most of them between now and the end of the session. I could explore the possibility of a kind of omnibus debate on foreign affairs where three or four issues could be combined in one debate. Perhaps we will see if there is a way in which we can do that.
On the issue of floods, looking at the pagodas on Leighlinbridge coming from Carlow I know exactly the extent of and the damage being caused by the floods in so many parts of the country. We should have a debate on flooding as soon as possible and I will try to be more specific about that. However, as Senator Townsend so wisely said, the excessive rainfall of the last couple of months is an act of God — wherever she is — and not something that we in this House could too easily deal with. The debate should not turn into a fire fighting exercise. The causes of flooding appear to be much more deep seated than that. There appear to be long term planning and other issues which need to be addressed, and I suspect that our debate could be more useful in that context. I can give a commitment that we would have a debate on this issue next week and if I can arrange a debate earlier I will do so, but I believe Senators will agree that it is probably better to address the whole question of flooding in that wider context because there are, apparently, important ecological and other changes taking place.
I apologise to Senator Fitzgerald with regard to the legislation in respect of harbours. I do not have information on this issue, but any request from the Senator will be treated with the utmost dispatch. There may have been some flaw in the drafting of the legislation but I will come back to him with full information on the matter.
Senator Quinn raised the question of the franchise for emigrants, which I addressed, and Senator Daly raised the question of arterial drainage. I got a bit ahead of myself last week in the House and I announced that there would be legislation on that matter fairly soon. Fortunately the Taoiseach caught up with me today in the other House. He announced that there will be legislation on arterial drainage as soon as possible, but it could usefully be part of the wider debate I am proposing on the whole phenomenon of flooding.
Senator McGennis raised the issue of meningitis which I will discuss with the Minister. It is a serious subject but I doubt if an immediate statement is possible. I will see what can be done on this matter. Senator McGowan spoke about the National Roads Authority, which was frequently raised when we were on the other side of the House. This is a serious issue. I do not know how we can deal with it, but it is a subject which could benefit from an airing in the House; perhaps an arrangement could be made with the Whips or for Private Members' Business.
Senator Naughten mentioned the question of flooding, which I have covered, and Senator Mooney mentioned the new thinking on emigrants, which I have also covered. On the issue of broadcasting, I have not spoken to the Minister on the Green Paper but I will convey the Senator's views. A debate on this issue would be welcome in the House.
Senator Lanigan raised the issue of the smaller urban areas. I do not have an answer for the Senator but I will talk to him afterwards to see what can be done.