Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I said we had libations, nothing else. Senator Leyden referred to the new Berlin Wall in the city of Kalkilya which is photographed in today's Irish Independent. He asked me to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the House. I have written to the Minister and told him that all Members of the House want him to come to the House for a debate on international matters. I hope he will come to the House for that debate. The Senator also spoke about access to Bethlehem.

Senator Norris supported Senator Brian Hayes and Senator O'Toole. He spoke about people who are wrongly accused of seeking compensation. Senator Ó Murchú supported Senator Morrissey. I do not wish to comment on that case. I hope he and Senator Morrissey will excuse me from discussing the judicial statement. In general, however, the issue of abuse in institutions is becoming unbalanced in several cases. Of course, there were dark days. However, there were also sunlit days when great education was given. I am thinking in particular of women who received a proper education, which they would never ordinarily have received. We need to keep a sense of perspective in such a debate but because the abuse was so horrific, our minds tend to focus on that. Nevertheless, we need to look at both sides.

Senator Browne raised the NRA and the fast tracking of roads. He also wants a debate on Northern Ireland. I have asked the Taoiseach to come to the House to debate Northern Ireland. In fact, two letters have been sent, one to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, and one to the Taoiseach. If time permits and they have the time to come to the House, both debates will be held before Christmas. That is what I requested. Senator Mansergh supported Senator Leyden's call for a balanced debate. I will find out later what was meant by his remark about chivalry.

Senator Quinn referred to the overlapping of charities, comments which were supported by Senator Ormonde. A clear statement is needed on the matter. He spoke about the list of 30 Bills in the UK, which I hope to read today. He said that the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, hopes to abolish hereditary peers, but I do not know what who will replace them.