Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Hayes asked about Second Stage of the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Bill. It is due to conclude at 1 p.m. As Committee Stage is due to be taken at 4 p.m., there will be a three hour gap. Normally it would be better to have a longer gap but it is better to take Report Stage later. Those who have tabled Committee Stage amendments can proceed with them. Having Report Stage the next day will allow those who will feel their amendments did not get due consideration to table them again. There is more need for a gap between Committee and Report Stages, particularly as the Committee Stage amendments for the Bill have already been tabled.

Senator Hayes also asked about the Official Secrets Act 1963. An all-party committee issued a report in 1997 calling for the Act to be repealed. I will inquire as to whether there is a plan to repeal it. The Senator also said the Ombudsman's budget had been slashed by 15%. Knowing the Ombudsman as we do, that will not halt him. He is very punctilious about his duties and has done great service to the country.