In response to repeated requests from Senator Wright for a debate on nuclear policy, that debate will take place next Thursday. A number of requests were made about the Price Waterhouse report. I could say to the Leader of the Opposition that I would be happy to give him the same opportunity he afforded me to debate that document. However, I will convey to the Minister for Defence the concern that has been expressed on all sides of the House for a debate on the reorganisation of the Defence Forces. As regards Senator O'Toole's point about the Supplementary Order Paper and the order in which items are taken, this is entirely a matter for the Cathaoirleach.
I have spoken with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Gay Mitchell, and we will shortly have the debate that was requested on the Intergovernmental Conference.
The profusion of amendments that have been arriving late in the day in recent times is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I intend to raise the matter there today to have it resolved once and for all.
A number of Senators jumped on Senator Rory Kiely's bandwagon calling for a debate on agriculture. I will try to have a debate on the major agricultural issues as soon as possible.
Last week Senator Dardis raised the question of a debate on restructuring the universities. I will try to convene a meeting with Senator Dardis, Senator Ormonde and some of the Independent Senators, as well as the Labour and Fine Gael spokespersons on Education, to see how best we can structure that debate. It will happen within the time span I indicated.
In reply to Senator Finneran, I did not intend to — and I do not believe that I did — discriminate in my replies to different sides of the House on the same question. The point raised by Senator Magner last week concerned the self-regulating professions — an issue he raised again today. I suppose the answer is that the professions might go a lot of the way by being more transparent in conveying to the public how their procedures work. We would discuss the matter in this House if the appropriate motion was tabled.
Senator Finneran and others will appreciate that on matters like this — where ongoing investigations are taking place and where I do not have right of access to the up-to-date situation — it could be extremely dangerous and indeed wrong of me to make any remark which might prejudice things that may happen later. I accept that this is a serious matter which caused widespread concern. If there was an appropriate way it could be debated in this House I would be happy to facilitate it but I suspect it would be wiser to let the investigations take their course. There are questions for the profession itself to answer.
As regards Senator Fitzgerald's question, the Harbour Bill is finishing today in the Dáil and it should be before the Seanad within two weeks. Senator Enright raised a number of issues which, strictly speaking, were not appropriate to the Order of Business. However, I share with him a sense of shock when I see people, and especially priests, named before any charges have been brought, on foot of allegations which have not been substantiated and where a person's character could be ruined. Watching television coverage of recent sex abuse cases where priests were charged in Northern Ireland, I found it appalling that these people were filmed on their way to court. In those cases charges had been preferred, but in the case mentioned by Senator Enright I think it is an appalling practice. I would like clarification from the newspapers as to why people are named and their photographs are published. There may be an explanation and I would like to hear it.
Senator Enright and others spoke about television programmes of recent murders. If there is to be such a programme, I would expect that, at the very least, the television authorities would have cleared it with the families concerned and that further undue distress and suffering would not be caused needlessly in the interests of exploitation for television.
As regards Senator Mooney's question on the arts plan, I will see what I can do to have a debate on it between now and the end of session. Senator Lanigan raised the question of the Director of Public Prosecutions. I am not sure what our rights are in having such a debate so I will inquire and come back to the Senator.
We do not have any real function when it comes to magic mushrooms.