I thank the Opposition parties for their co-operation on items 2 and 3. I propose a limit of 20 minutes per speaker on Second Stage of that Bill.
Senator Wright, Senator Rory Kiely and Senator Dardis asked for a debate on agriculture. As I indicated, there will be a debate next Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. I would like to keep it as a regular feature so the debate will not finish next week. I also want to ensure that Members get a chance to make substantial contributions rather than being limited by time. The debate next week will allow the spokesperson for each group to put their case without a time limit being imposed. I will see if it is possible to have a short series of statements on fisheries between now and the end of session.
Senator Dardis and others mentioned the Price Waterhouse report. I am not sure at what stage is the defamation legislation; I suspect it has slipped down the list of priorities but it is being prepared. I will try to have a fuller answer for the Senator before the end of the session. Colleagues will know that the report on the newspaper industry is due to be published shortly. I have made a request to the Minister to debate it in this House if it is published between now and the end of the session. Defamation is covered in that report.
I join with Senators in congratulating the Garda Síochána on the arms find in Clonaslee. The arms cache was obscene and chilling and if it had not been discovered we would probably be condemning atrocities and mourning loss of life day after day. It was a frightening and chilling arsenal of death and destruction which — I am not into the politics of condemnation — puts a question mark over the credibility of people who talk about the peace process but who are ambiguous about such activities. That is the stark reality underlying the peace process at present. Few people are saying we should cut off full contact with Sinn Féin but it is difficult when we cannot believe people.
Senator O'Sullivan mentioned financing of local government. That report is not available but we should have a debate on it in this House. It will probably take place in the autumn rather than before the end of this session.
A number of Senators mentioned the Price Waterhouse report on the examination system which has been published. The Minister for Education acted promptly, openly and in a comprehensive way. There may be substance in what Senator Lee said about the legal limitations. I am willing to make time available between now and the end of the session to have a debate on the report.
Senator McAughtry made an interesting contribution during which he drove a coach and four through the Order of Business. I am still open-minded about a debate on Northern Ireland before the end of the session. I will keep it under review with the leaders of the other groups.
Senator Maloney mentioned the code of ethics for children's sports. We will not discuss that between now and the end of the session. Senator Farrell mentioned the price of magazines. I am also amazed at the disparity in prices when the punt is worth more than the pound. It might be worth raising that matter on the Adjournment.