Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the leader of the Opposition, indicated that 20 June was the date for the ratification of the convention and called for an all-day discussion on the convention on the following Tuesday, 24 June. The effects of the convention are huge and they will affect us all for years to come. I fully agree, therefore, that we should have an all-day debate on the issue prior to the publication of the final report. Following previous requests by Senator Ormonde and other Senators to have a debate in the House, I made a proposal to that effect. I hope we can have the debate when we return after next week's break. Senator Brian Hayes stated the Praesidium has not yet considered 1,000 amendments tabled to the draft report. As it is a draft report, I hope it will be amended before the final version is published.

The Senator also asked for a debate on minimum sentences. I am loath to intervene in the work of the courts as their jurisdiction and the jurisdiction of the Oireachtas are distinct. I will read the comments of Mr. Justice Hardiman to which he referred.