First, there will be 20 minutes per speaker on item 1 and I thank the Leader of the Opposition and colleagues for their co-operation.
I agree with Senator O'Toole, which is unusual, that people will be turned off the European Presidency by the overuse of pomp, the blocking of streets and the klaxons of some of the motorcades driving civil servants to and from the airport, a lot of which is unnecessary. I was in a public place last evening as one of these cavalcades passed and I did a spotcheck. The reaction of most people was that it was unnecessary and was regarded as a turn-off from the European Union. Like Senator O'Toole, I appeal to those responsible for security and so forth to show restraint and common sense because this may be seen as the unacceptable face of the European Union. As a country we are not given to that sort of pomp. I will pass on the Senator's comments; he has my full agreement.
Senator Dardis raised the question of defamation. There is large section on defamation in the report on the newspaper industry. That report was leaked by the newspapers last week and published prematurely. It is going to Government next week and I have asked for a debate on the report before the end of session. I hope we can do that and that the section on defamation will be the basis for legislation.
Like Senator Dardis and others, I agree it is time that the Bord na Móna issue was sorted out. Up to now there has been no political responsibility. It would have been wrong had the Minister intervened. Heaven help him whatever he has to do given the report is coming out today, because the board seems to have ducked the issue. One way or the other, I will not commend the board of Bord na Móna but the Minister must now resolve this problem, and I am sure he will. Senator Roche also raised the issue of Bord na Móna.
With regard to Senator Fitzgerald's point, I have asked for a short debate on fisheries and safety at sea between now and the end of session. The Minister has agreed in principle and if he can, he will.
The question with regard to AOPA arose from a statutory instrument, and statutory instruments are a particularly sneaky way of doing business. They have been there a long time and it takes great vigilance on the part of organisations to see when their interests will be affected. I can understand how the pilots feel aggrieved that there was not full consultation. I will certainly pass on the request that there be full consultations and that their interests be taken to heart.
Senator Norris introduced a new sartorial norm into the House today. He is not here at present, but I will pass on his points and those of many other Senators about the Centre for Independent Living. Few organisations enjoy such goodwill on all sides in this House and the strong recommendations will be passed on.
Senator McGowan wants three debates between now and the end of session. The first of these is on tourism which started last week and it is on the Order Paper. I will try to accommodate the Senator with regard to the other two matters in the next session but I cannot do so between now and the end of session.
Senator Farrell has a good point. There is a need for a major debate on all aspects of local government and I intend that matter will be a priority at the beginning of the next session. Senator Finneran raised the issue of independent living and I agree with him.
I, too, would welcome a debate on suicide. Senator Neville began a serious debate at a political level on that hugely important issue. It is important that it be discussed; perhaps we could do so on an all party basis in the next session.
I hope to have a short debate on the Ombudsman next week. With regard to Castlerea prison, the Minister will be in the House tomorrow so perhaps the Senator can ask her about it.
I said last week that we would have a debate on the vocational education committees. I suspect it will be next session but it is important that we have a debate. My expectation is that the Freedom of Information Bill will be seriously tackled during the summer months and we should have the Bill early in the next session. I will get back to the Senator on that matter.
I may have misinterpreted Senator Mooney last week. I would have no difficulty and would welcome a debate in the next session on the IDA report. Perhaps we could tie it in with item 10 on today's Order Paper. The most expeditious way Senator Enright could raise the question of the examination report in the short term is on the Adjournment; to the best of my knowledge, it has not been raised on the Adjournment. That would at least give the Senator immediate access for his in depth discussion.