Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I am not sure that I fully agree with Senator Higgins. A House of the Oireachtas is to get involved in backing legal proceedings. If either House of the Oireachtas is to get involved in backing legal proceedings, it ought to be formally approved by the House as a whole. Obviously, the commission will be the prime mover and I am sure if the commission recommends it, in 95 out of 100 cases, the House will approve that without much debate. There is merit in the way in which the amendment is drafted. Apart from anything else, if those involved in such actions know they have the whole House behind them, whether the House considers them right or wrong but certainly justified in taking legal action, it could strengthen their position.