First, I will address item No. 4 on the Order Paper which was referred to by Senators Wright, O'Toole and Honan. It does not give me pleasure to ask the House to postpone the completion of the Bill. As I said, there were two reasons for doing this. Senator McGennis requested that we do so in light of the Supreme Court case where it was indicated the Bill would be examined. The Attorney General has given strong advice that the amendment proposed is unconstitutional and clearly no Government can go ahead with such a proposal. Senators Wright, O'Toole, Honan, McGennis and I have been active on this issue.
This is not like an ordinary Bill which might be shunted to one side in the course of a change of Government. There is a possibility that the problem which is of vital importance to a small number of people can be addressed in a legally safe way. I cannot be expected to put a Bill which is not legally and constitutionally safe through the House. The Department, the Attorney General and I are committed to resolving this problem. I give a solemn commitment that if this Government is returned to power and I am back in this position, the Bill will be reinstated on Report Stage on the first or second day of the first session. Senator Wright has indicated he will give the same commitment if the Opposition is in power. It is a human problem which I want to resolve in a proper manner and one which will last. I thank Senators for their understanding on this important issue.
Senator Wright raised the business for the rest of the week. It is as circulated by the Whip. I hope we can complete outstanding business on Friday, presuming that events in the other House, in which we take a small interest, take place on Thursday. I give Senator O'Toole an undertaking that business will not be steamrolled through a depleted Seanad. I am sure the same will apply to the Opposition. The events in 1992 should not have happened and I am sure they will not happen again.
Senator Wright also mentioned Sellafield. His suggestion is constructive, as is his interest in the subject, and I will convey it to the relevant Minister. I suggest that the issues raised by Senator Bohan last week would be more appropriately dealt with as Adjournment Matters, which may elicit a speedy response. There will be a full possibility for discussion on the points raised by Senator Honan and Senator O'Kennedy in the debate on Thursday. Senator McAughtry made his case well and fearlessly and it does not require further comment. Senator O'Kennedy referred to the Youth Bill. There will be an opportunity to make the related points about insurance.
I agree with Senator Farrell about the interview to which he referred. There is a danger that comments can be made on phone-in programmes without any great degree of responsibility. They can be unfair to politicians. Many of us have been the subject of these comments and are not in a position to respond. Comments are left hanging in the air. I heard the interview and given what has now transpired, the question has to be addressed.
Senator Townsend raised difficulties on the Carlow-Kilkenny border. I did not catch the full import of what he said but I will obtain a copy of his contribution and refer it to the relevant Minister. Senator McGowan raised Northern Ireland. Senator Lanigan raised the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. This House does not have any involvement in that but I take his concerns on board. His point on the earthquake in Iran was more relevant. It is important that whatever distaste people have for the Iranian regime should not be allowed interfere with humanitarian considerations. I am glad Senator Lanigan raised the outspoken, courageous and timely statement by Archbishop Eames this morning, which deserves the support of all parties in this House.
I agree with the points made by Senator Magner which do not need any elaboration. Senator Rory Kiely raised a question of which I was not aware. However, the murder to which he referred must be condemned by all people and sympathy must be sent to the family. We are all concerned about the spate of horrific and mindless sectarian killings in Northern Ireland in the past couple of days. It is one of the worst symptoms of a society close to anarchy that we have seen for a very long time. The condemnation and sympathy of all sides of the House goes out to the relatives concerned. With Senator Burke, I commend the Department of Education for setting up the new examination review body.