The Order of Business is No 1, Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 6 p.m, with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 20 minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed 15 minutes, Members may share time and the Minister to be called on to reply not later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage. There will be a sos from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Order of Business.
Does the Leader agree that yesterday's debate on embryonic stem cell research was one of the finest since the new Seanad was elected? It is grossly frustrating that not one line about the debate appeared in any of the newspapers this morning.
It did.
But they were not the best ones.
It is in The Irish Times.
Not the contribution of my colleague, Senator Henry, whose speech was the best.
Senator Brian Hayes, without interruption.
I apologise and I stand corrected. I have been told by my colleagues that the reference was of puny distinction.
We had an excellent debate yesterday from which I learned a great deal. Such debates must be heard in public. The BBC recently established a new channel on its digital service called BBC Parliament on which debates such as the one we held yesterday are covered on a constant basis. There is a responsibility on all media to report such debates. Over 20 Members spoke yesterday and there was a very fine statement from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The EU Parliament dealt with the matter yesterday and it is all over the papers this morning. We must work together to ensure the important and historic debates which take place here are heard by the public.
As the Leader is more than aware, this week is men's cancer action week, which is organised by the Irish Cancer Society. I welcome the society's initiative. Relatively minor cancers can be detected in men if they are aware and visit their doctors on a regular basis. As we all know, many men will not go to GPs' surgeries and, furthermore, most of the information in surgeries is not male friendly. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on this issue to be attended by the Minister for Health and Children at some point over the next few weeks. Early detection is the key to stopping testicular and prostate cancers which are killers if they are not discovered in time. We need to debate the matter.
When will we conclude Committee Stages of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill? They have been on the Order Paper for some months. We welcome the fact that we are to sit four days next week. We will have an opportunity then to get through this legislation and to pass it, which is our job. I encourage the Leader to facilitate that work.
I also have access to BBC Parliament on digital television and I support the points made by Senator Brian Hayes.
Members will have received a communication from the Bar Council at the eleventh hour plus 55 minutes of the debate. These people failed to do anything about these issues since the foundation of the State, but they have suddenly decided to tell us how to do our business with less than an hour to go. It is disgraceful. We could have listened to them for the last ten years if they had let us. Many times we have sought the Bar Council's views on how we could reduce the cost of cases and claims but failed to get a decent response from them. When we debate this Bill later today, I intend dealing line by line with the misinformation which was circulated to Members because it is a smokescreen. I welcome the chance to discuss the matter with the Bar Council and the widest possible audience.
Some time ago I was one of those given the responsibility to establish an examination and analysis of the salaries, working hours and conditions of Oireachtas Members. In that context, I take grave exception to an Oireachtas Member referring to Members of the Houses on today's "Morning Ireland" and in newspapers as "urinating on the public", by virtue of the way in which they do their work. I take grave exception to the cheap attempts by a single Member to try to demean the work of Members in an unfair, unchallenged and cheap way. It is incorrect and should be examined by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I do not accept that it is fair for a member of a profession to criticise others without evidence.
That Member's perception of work may be to come to Leinster House and be paid so much per day in order to read the newspapers, drink coffee, talk to people and go home early, but it is not what I have seen in my analysis. The House needs to challenge such statements publicly and not be afraid to fight them. We do our work and are entitled to be paid for it.
I have had a number of rows with Senator Brian Hayes and Fine Gael in regard to the non-payment of benchmarking. However, I draw a clear distinction between that as a political issue, with which I fundamentally disagree but respect, and the cheap shot to which I listened this morning and read about in the newspapers.
I remind the Senator that the comments of Members of the Lower House do not concern this House.
I am talking about all of us.
I agree with Senator O'Toole's remarks in regard to the rights of Members of both Houses. I have been as good as anyone at handing out criticism and hope to continue to do so as long as I am here. I do not know anyone in these Houses who does not work hard doing their job in a variety of ways. The pathetic nonsense which emanates from the media about the hours we work comes from people who, if they were to be judged by our standards, work for five hours a week. They suggest we only work the hours we are in Leinster House and by that standard, the radio commentators work just five hours a week and are paid more than the Taoiseach. For such journalists to be given succour by a Member of the Oireachtas is a cheap shot. I have no idea who said this, it may have been a member of my own party.
It was not.
Whoever said it is a shameless individual who is grabbing the cheapest of all cheap shots against his or her own colleagues. Senator O'Toole is correct that we should stand up for ourselves. We should have a debate on politics and the media, a suggestion which is not meant to threaten anyone. The problem with journalists is that if one criticises them, they accuse one of threatening them. If that is the case, I have been threatened all my life by every journalist in Ireland because they are forever complaining about us. It is time we spoke up for ourselves.
I often speak about Oireachtas Members and former Members with vigour and the Cathaoirleach often asks me to retract such comments, with which I do not always agree, but that is part of the rules of this House. We will not get any favours from the media by cringing in front of them. We must begin to stand up for ourselves.
An individual was convicted of corruption yesterday, about which I do not want to elaborate since the process is not complete. However, at the risk of being denounced by the media again, I have no great passion for sending old men to jail, whether it is this individual or others. Nonetheless, such people should be convicted. Issues arise from this which deserve the attention of the Oireachtas, one of which is that it is virtually impossible to find out who are the beneficial owners of many trusts. If we are in earnest about taxation or corruption, we cannot tolerate impenetrable trusts being set up, the precise beneficial owners of which the Revenue Commissioners, the Garda or the Companies Office cannot find out. Our company legislation is far too heavily loaded on the side of protecting alleged commercial sensitivities, the result of which is that the State could perhaps pay money to companies without knowing whether the beneficial owners of those companies are tax compliant or legitimately entitled to those benefits. Our companies legislation needs to be examined in that context.
I still find it astonishing that if a youngster steals a loaf of bread from the local supermarket in Merrion Row, he or she will be prosecuted, but if a person withholds €1 million of lawful taxation, the Revenue Commissioners have a policy of not prosecuting him or her. How is it right to punish a poor child for stealing a loaf of bread and leave a citizen who steals €1 million of revenue without a stain on his or her character?
I only heard the end of the interview to which Senator O'Toole referred but I was shocked by it. It bore no resemblance to the experience I have had in the Oireachtas. I have raised the question of the NUJ on a number of occasions and challenged it out of admiration for the profession. On one occasion, the NUJ wrote a letter back to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges about me which was circulated. However, when the NUJ checked the record, it found it had got its target wrong. It sought a meeting with me and apologised for what it had done. I accepted the apology graciously and told them I was as interested in their profession as ours but that they were going down the wrong road.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to come before the House to discuss official languages in Europe? I am particularly interested in the status of the Irish language. There will be 20 languages in the enlarged EU, at least one of which will have fewer native speakers than Ireland. It is important to point out that there is now an opportunity to establish Irish as an official language and we should do so. It would be beneficial to Ireland since the Parliament would have to appoint at least 200 translators and interpreters, which would mean extra involvement for Ireland. Following on the language Act, it is timely we discuss the status of the Irish language in Europe.
I am pleased the Cathaoirleach gave Senator O'Toole latitude to express his view. I will not elaborate in detail but, as a long-serving Member of both Houses, I resent that a person who has only been in politics a wet day is coming here in an open-necked shirt and criticising politicians with such rhetoric. How many people in this House have rung constituents at 10.30 p.m. only for them to ask whether we were still working? People do not have a concept of the hours politicians put in. This Member is fuelling cynicism in regard to the body politic with such comments. I am glad the Cathaoirleach has given us latitude because similar latitude would not be allowed in the Lower House to counteract statements of this nature. Comments such as these are disgraceful, coming from a gentleman who does not even understand or appreciate politics.
I agree with Senator Brian Hayes's comments on the high quality of yesterday's debate on stem cell research. Many Ministers have said they experience more constructive debate in this House. Unfortunately the media are only interested if debate takes a negative line or if the subject is controversial. I agree with Senator Ryan's call for a debate on the subject of politics and the media. Perhaps the debate which will take place shortly on a statutory press council will present an opportunity for dealing with that issue. It must be acknowledged that some responsible people work in the media.
Will the Leader arrange for a debate on organised crime, specifically that involving elements of the republican movement in the Border area? RTE recently showed an exceptionally good programme on the subject. The media has patently failed to tackle the republican movement on this issue. The RTE programme was the first time I have seen it done.
Hear, hear.
The media are correct to look for probity in public life but that attitude must apply elsewhere also. They cannot be selective in how they do this. I would like to see a debate on this serious problem. The Italian mafia grew from the resistance movement in Italy and the Eastern bloc mafia grew from the KGB. A significant element of the paramilitary republican movement is involved in this type of activity, as are those on the loyalist side. Where people are so involved it needs to be highlighted and confronted by both the political establishment and the forces of the State.
I fear that with regard to the gentleman, and I use that phrase in its widest possible application, in the other House, we are giving him exactly what he wants – the oxygen of publicity – if this is reported. I will not mention his name but I remember him. He made some cheap shots before and said he would return his pay rises and benchmarking award. It would be much better to follow that money trail and see if he actually did.
We cannot discuss Members of the other House here.
I agree with Senator Ryan's comments on impenetrable trusts. No declaration of interest is required for a number of public offices. The trail cannot be followed because people put their money into companies like Skerries Holdings, when it becomes impossible to tell whether there is a conflict of interest. This issue needs to examined.
On the matter of media coverage of the Oireachtas, on a number of occasions detailed reports are made but are then spiked editorially by the newspapers because they are not regarded as of sufficient interest. Perhaps we should use this opportunity to seek a meeting with the editors because that may be where the problem lies. I would support programmes like the BBC's politics show or the American programme "C-SPAN". A certain audience would be interested in such programmes.
There has been a succession of cases recently where murder trials have been stopped or aborted. This has happened in cases where many people feel the accused has a case to answer. The most recent case was stopped because of difficulties surrounding the taking of evidence in Garda stations. Five years ago I spoke to the International Police Convention in Dublin Castle and made the point, as did others, that provision should be made for videotaping in order to protect gardaí, the integrity of the evidence and the people being interrogated. We should ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to examine this issue. The expenditure would justify itself. If people believe certain persons have walked free although a good degree of suspicion still attaches to the fact that they may have been involved in a murder, then we must spend money on videotaping.
I welcome the Government's decision to widen the terms of reference on the resolution on religious intolerance which it is sponsoring at the third committee of the United Nations, especially in the light of the appalling outrage in Istanbul where a synagogue was targeted. This is specific anti-Semitism. I am glad the Government has broadened the resolution to include a reference to anti-Semitism in light of that outrage against a vulnerable community.
I support the views expressed by Senator Ó Murchú pertaining to the Irish language. We should invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, into the House. We are led to believe that even in Gaeltacht areas there is a decline in the teanga dúchais. We are also led to believe that in other parts of the country there is a renaissance of the language. We are now part of the big European picture and it is important to afford or contribute to affording status to our native language at that level. I welcome the opportunity of being in this House to support this view. It behoves us as Members of Parliament and as people who contribute, support and subscribe to the status of the language, to support Senator Ó Murchú.
I also support the opinion expressed by a judge relating to the downloading of child pornography. He said anyone found guilty of doing so should receive a prison sentence and I strongly endorse that.
I too condemn the remarks made by a Member of these Houses this morning. In the same vein, I want to raise the issue of the staff of this House. We all know they work very hard. I refer, in particular, to our secretaries some of whom are very poorly paid. We owe it to them to tackle this issue, particularly those secretaries who have been brought in on the lower pay rate, like the yellow packs. While this issue has been raised before, we have not made any progress. We must tackle it and reward those who work so hard for us and ensure they stay here. Otherwise, they can go into the private market where they can get much better pay. I hope the Leader can move forward on this in an effort to resolve the issue.
I share Senator Brian Hayes's view that this House does not get the coverage it deserves. We had a very good debate here yesterday with different views expressed from all sides. The debate involved a lot of effort in understanding embryonic stem cell research, including the different phrases and words used, such as "pluripotent", "totipotent", "chimera", "mosaicism" and "neonatal" stem cells. This takes time and effort, yet today's newspapers concentrate on a cheap shot from a hardly known Deputy. I am disappointed by that because it means journalists are not taking the time to study what we say here.
I also share Senator Ryan's view concerning paying moneys from State funds to trust funds when we do not know who are the beneficial owners. A minimum requirement to ensure good practice should be to know who the beneficial owners are before State funds are paid over to any company.
I support Senator Ó Murchú's view that Irish should be one of the official languages of the European Union. I would love to have the time to learn the Irish language and to be a cainteoir líofa. Someday, when I have the time, I hope to achieve that.
I support Senator Terry regarding Dáil and Seanad secretaries and the need to pay them properly. Senator Norris referred to the move by Ireland to sponsor the motion condemning anti-Semitism, which I welcome. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, into the House to speak on the issue? Given our impending assumption of the EU Presidency, it is important to debate foreign affairs policy with the Minister. Foreign affairs will be to the forefront of this Presidency because of the situation in Iraq and acts of terrorism in places like Turkey. Ireland needs to play a critical but positive role in foreign affairs issues, for example, on the need for progress between Israel and Palestine in securing fair and secure Israeli and Palestinian states.
We had a very good debate last week about Liberia and the contribution of our troops to peacekeeping missions. We said last week that we would have an ongoing debate on the work of our troops there and that we would monitor the situation. I wish our troops well in their work in Liberia.
I support Senator Norris's plea for video recording to be provided. It is a nonsense and regrettable that cases collapse due to such a defective process. We had this problem for many years in Northern Ireland. It does not have to be available in every Garda station. There could be eight such suites around the country and it would be fair to the person who is being interrogated, the Garda and the process of justice.
I declare an interest as a director of Independent Newspapers and as someone who writes for them. I was disappointed too when I picked up the newspaper this morning to find that what I thought was an absolutely sparkling speech had not been reported, even in the Irish Independent. The sad thing is that the appetite of the reading public is for conflict and not for reflective discussion. We had a wonderful discussion and it showed the Seanad at its best. I admire the contributions of my colleagues. However, it is a little unfair, in respect of the unfortunate remarks made this morning, to blame the journalist. After all, it was a politician who said it. He may not be a very good one, but, nevertheless, that is the position.
Senator Walsh referred to the pursuit of crime along the Border. That links in with a debate we will have when the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform brings forward his proposals for a press council. I welcome his intention to do so. It is almost impossible for people to follow the current libel laws. One remembers the famous case involving The Irish Times. It was fortunate that it had deep pockets and could follow the case for a long time. Apropos a current issue, 12 years ago I was told by a journalist about corruption in the Dublin planning system. There was not a newsroom in Dublin that did not know about it. It is worrying that they were not able to move on the story. That is the other side of the coin that we have to consider.
I agree with the comments of Senator Maurice Hayes and Senator O'Toole. Regarding the communication from the legal fraternity, I would also welcome a meeting with them which I hope can be arranged. It is natural that they would be concerned about the right of access to the courts, the right to fair procedures and the right to be held equal before the law. However, all these points are a sine qua non of the constitutional protection in this country and, with respect, they are wrong. Perhaps a meeting with them might clear that up.
Will the Leader outline when the House is likely to deal with the Committee and Remaining Stages of the PIAB Bill? I know it will have to be soon as we will deal with Second Stage of the Bill today.
I support the call of Senator Terry and others to review and improve the working conditions of secretaries of Members of this House. Like other Senators, I deplore cheap shots and one should not seek election to the Parliament unless one has a belief in what one is doing. The pity is that the media is not terribly interested in much of our work, but that should not deter any of us from doing it to the best of our ability and contributing to the type of debate we had yesterday.
I support Senator Brian Hayes's call for a debate on men's health, but perhaps it should be narrowed to men's health under the cancer strategy. Perhaps the Minister for Health and Children could come to the House to consider this area specifically as there appears to be an increasing rate of prostate cancer and the age of those developing it is becoming younger. Testicular cancer is an unfortunate but preventable cause of death in young men.
Last night I said in Private Members' time that the proposed cuts in the allowances for lone parents were in direct conflict with the strategy put forward by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency for lowering the incidence of crisis pregnancy. I ask the Leader to arrange a short debate on the Crisis Pregnancy Agency's very fine report, which was launched last week, before the proposed cuts are implemented.
We heard during the week about changes in the penalty points system for motorists using mobile phones, which is welcome. We have been successful in highlighting the drink driving problem, but we are totally ignoring driving by people under the influence of drugs. I am aware that the UK is introducing "drugaliser" tests next year. Startling statistics indicate that 15% of fatal car crashes in the UK are due to alcohol related incidents, while 25% of fatalities involve illegal drugs. If one includes legally prescribed drugs, the figure is higher. It is time we had a debate about what steps the Government intends to take in respect of people driving under the influence of drugs. Drugs impair one's ability to drive and to analyse situations.
I welcome the recent announcement that 100,000 people have been removed from the electoral register in Northern Ireland due to duplicate voting. It proves that we have to be very careful about people having the right to vote, but also people abusing the system. The PPS number, that we all have, should be used as a way of safeguarding the right to vote, but also erasing any possibility of duplication or people exploiting the system. We should consider that suggestion. We are moving towards electronic voting so it should be possible to put that system in place.
I disagree totally with Senator Jim Walsh about the gentleman who is threatened with jail even though he is old. The law applies to everybody. Circumstances can be changed depending on one's age, but nobody—
Senator Ryan made that point.
Senator Ryan, I apologise.
Both those names are very similar. It is quite understandable that the Senator is confused.
I thought Senator Jim Walsh said that if people are elderly, they should not go to jail. I apologise if it was not Senator Walsh. I believe the laws apply to everybody and even if people go to jail for one day, it proves that nobody is above the law and they should adhere to the rules.
I support Senator Terry and other Senators who called for action regarding the pay of people who were recruited in recent times to serve us in this House. No other group in the country has had to endure a reduced salary. The Department of Finance, in all new appointments made during the lifetime of this Seanad, offered the people who were recruited a reduced salary. It reflects badly on us as elected Members to stand idly by and allow that to continue. It is of the greatest importance that the Leader remonstrates with the Minister for Finance and the Department of Finance officials who brought this inequity into the payments system for staff of the House. It is an insult to them. As I have said before, I do not know what keeps them here. They come into the city centre and work side by side with colleagues at a lower remuneration. That would not happen in any other industry, never mind the profession in which they serve us as Members. I implore the Leader to take a stand on this issue to achieve equity for those people who are doing work for us.
The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, referred to the excellent debate that took place yesterday. I thank everyone who contributed or listened, either in the House or in their offices. As I stated last evening, the excellence of such debates underlines the need to have a House such as this. The debate was covered in The Irish Times and the Irish Independent, but I accept that the articles relating to it did not take up much space.
Another Senator indicated that it is the editor of a newspaper who decides what is included in articles. Jimmy Walsh, the reporter from The Irish Times who covers the Seanad, does excellent work. I have often heard him lamenting the fact that he submits large reports only to find that they are emasculated the following morning. The idea that we should meet with the editors of the newspapers is good and I will acknowledge whoever said it later.
It was me.
That is fine, I will come to the Senator's contribution in time.
It would be good to take up with the Minister for Health and Children the concept of men's cancer week, particularly in view of the fact that testicular and prostate cancer have become much more prevalent.
Senator O'Toole referred to the letter from the Bar Council, which I read this morning with unbelievable chagrin. All Members will be receiving a copy of the letter, to which I, as I am sure did Senator O'Toole, replied immediately. It was arrogant and dismissive of those involved in dealing with legislation. The tone of the letter was to the effect that they know best and we should realise it.
The Senator also referred to the Member of the Oireachtas and what he said about Members of both Houses. I agree that we are giving him oxygen by discussing this matter. However, it is time that we stand up for ourselves and, as did some Members recently during a phone-in programme, answer back. I do not know any public representative in either House who does not work until the lights go out. I have met very few who do not work all the hours they can. They may not do so in full public view, but they answer telephone calls, attend meetings and represent their parties at public functions. We have all been asked if the Houses are back in session and if we have returned to work. It is awful that, after so many years, such questions are still being asked. If we do not speak up for ourselves, who will do so? We must inform people that we are doing our jobs, sometimes for 14 hours a day. When one goes shopping, one will be approached by people who raise their concerns and one listens politely. There is no escape from our work and we are always on duty. I encourage everyone to speak up in respect of this matter. Senator Ryan agreed with Senator O'Toole's comments in that regard.
Senator Ryan also made a point about old men being sent to prison. There was something sad about the TV footage of the person in question and it brought to mind the line, "Every old man I see reminds me of my father" from Patrick Kavanagh's poem. I accept that we must look to our humanity but the case in question involved corruption. It remains to be seen what will happen. The Senator also referred to the inequity between how a person who stole a loaf of bread in a local store might be punished with the way Revenue treats people involved in financial trusts.
Senator Ó Murchú referred to the NUJ and what happened to him when he received an apology from that organisation, which, in itself, was something. The Senator also requested that the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, come before the House to discuss the position of the Irish language. He stated that there are countries in which native languages are used far less than is Irish here and he wants to examine whether it would be possible to establish Irish as an official language at EU level. I will ask the Minister to come before the House to debate the matter. The Minister is always very gracious and is eager to come here at every opportunity.
Senator Brian Hayes also inquired about the Maternity Protection Bill and the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill. The Government amendments to the Maternity Protection Bill are expected to be published in the next day or two. We will, therefore, be taking the Bill during the week after next. There is nothing I can do about the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill, in respect of which a huge number of amendments have been submitted to the Attorney General's office. There is no sign as yet of their re-emerging. We will keep our fingers crossed in respect of the Maternity Protection Bill which, I understand, is being practically rewritten to incorporate a number of major changes.
Senator Finucane referred to remarks made earlier on "Morning Ireland". I did not hear the programme, but I read a newspaper article in which the language to which the Senator refers, which was extremely offensive, was reported. It was clearly used to obtain a headline, a goal it achieved.
Senator Jim Walsh also referred to yesterday's debate. He also spoke about the establishment of a statutory press council, a matter in respect of which the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, is making preparations. Senator Walsh further referred to organised crime in Border areas. The footage shown on "Prime Time" was terrific. It would be good to have a debate on that matter.
Senator Norris stated that a journalist may submit a large amount of material for an article but that his or her editor will decide how much must be left out. The Irish Times contains a daily digest of what will be taking place in the Dáil on any given day. Such a digest should also be included for the Seanad because this would encourage more people to take an interest in our deliberations. The Senator also referred to murder trials being aborted as a result of the lack of videotaping of Garda evidence. He welcomed the widening of the resolution on religious intolerance to include anti-Semitism. Everyone welcomes that development.
Senator Glynn also requested that the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, come before the House for a debate on the Irish language. On an unrelated issue, the Senator stated that those guilty of involvement in pornography, which is an awful crime, should receive prison sentences.
Senator Terry has spoken to me on several occasions about the matter she raised. Her interest and that of others in respect of this issue is a good reflection on them. Some secretaries working in the Houses sit beside other secretaries who are paid much more than them. It is not that they are jealous of their counterparts, but they should be paid the same salaries. I suggest to the Cathaoirleach that this matter should be raised and discussed at the next meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It is incorrect that we should be presiding over people whose salaries are well below what they would expect to receive if they worked outside the Houses. I thank the Senator and others for raising this matter publicly.
Senator Hanafin also referred to yesterday's wonderful debate on stem cell research, an issue in respect of which we have much to learn. The Senator also wants the Irish language to be recognised. I hope he does well with his studies.
Senator Tuffy referred to the secretaries, a matter in respect of which she spoke to me on another occasion. She also referred to the resolution on religious intolerance and the inclusion therein of anti-Semitism. The Senator would welcome a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on a number of issues.
Senator Maurice Hayes expressed regret that his sparkling speech yesterday had not been reported in the newspapers. I agree that he made an excellent contribution. All Members suffered in that regard yesterday. The Senator also referred to the libel laws and the proposals for a press council.
Senator Coghlan stated that the legal fraternity got it wrong. We are joined in the Public Gallery by an eminent member of the legal profession who will have listened to everything that has been said. The Senator also asked about Committee and Remaining Stages of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill. I hope to have details on that within the hour and I will make an announcement in the House when they become available.
Senator Mansergh is correct that, even if we feel our deliberations are not given the requisite coverage, we should not fail to speak on particular matters. He also stated that, in terms of people doing down politicians, we should stand up for ourselves.
Senator Henry raised the issue of cancer in men. She also referred to the Crisis Pregnancy Agency report. All of us received a copy of this terrific report and we would do well to debate it. Senator Browne referred to fatalities arising from drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs. He also raised inaccuracies on the electoral register.
Senator Ulick Burke also raised the secretarial matter, as he has done on many occasions. The House of the Oireachtas commission will be established shortly and we will run the show then. We will be able to take the issue from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to the commission and give people proper remuneration.
Order of Business agreed to.