Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I wish to clarify a matter that was raised by Senator Ryan. The earlier signature motion regarding the Civil Registration Bill should not have appeared on today's Order Paper. It was included in error. I do not draw up the Order Paper but I wish to explain that is why I did not include the motion in what I said earlier. The Member is quite right to have noticed that.

Senator Brian Hayes said the Immigration Bill 2004 was rushed. It finished in the Dáil on Thursday evening, and despite being importuned to take it earlier this week, we left it until today on the basis that would leave three working days and a weekend for further consideration. None of us is happy about the matter, but that is the situation. We can provide more time, however. I notice that it runs into the sos, and for once I believe that it would do no harm to stagger it so that people can go out or come in as they wish. The Leader of the Opposition has every right to request a vote on the matter. If more time is sought, I can offer that. Perhaps the leaders will let me know if they wish to take that up.

Regarding electronic voting, I am assured that Deputy Gallagher, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, will deal with questions on the floor of the House if required. The Senator also said that a ministerial order was not sufficient and requested primary legislation, as well as questions and answers. If I have deciphered matters correctly, the Minister will be prepared to take questions and answers, and the issue in question can form the subject matter of some of those.

Senator Henry also raised the Immigration Bill 2004, particularly the interpretation of diseases, which she understands not to be correct. I bow to her medical knowledge on that matter. Senator Ryan said more time was needed for the Immigration Bill 2004. I have offered the sos, and I wait to hear from the leaders on that.

I answered the question on civil registration, and I regret that it was on the Order Paper when not required.

We are all delighted that the Language Commissioner has been appointed as laid out in the legislation. We recently had a very good debate in the House as Gaeilge agus as Béarla on the all-party motion regarding recognition of Irish in the European Union. I have no difficulty, if the Senator wishes, perhaps for a short period tomorrow or early next week — again, the leaders might let me know what would suit them — with having a debate on the appointment of the Coimisinéir Teanga. Senator Ryan praised him in his statement and also called for a debate on the Revenue Commissioners. I do not know if the Government indemnified the press secretary; I very much doubt if it did.

Senator Finucane raised the question of the container in Belgium, which was supposed to have contained paper but turned out not to. I feel rather bad that our dirty waste is going all over the world when we have to come to some business arrangement for dealing with our own. The waste was dirty and smelly, but we created it. The sooner we implement full-scale arrangements for the disposal of our waste — as the Minister is endeavouring to do — the better. Clearly, shunting it all over the world is not a good idea. We now realise that tip heads, as we call them, are not a good idea either, certainly from a health point of view.

Senator Norris raised the EU decision; I was waiting for someone to do so. It is marvellous, since it means that major infrastructural works can be carried out without impinging on the Stability and Growth Pact. Senator Minihan is clearly ready to blow the trumpet, and he is right. For a long time, he has been pressing about Cork School of Music, as has Senator Norris about the metro. It takes that barrier away. Senator Norris also spoke about gloating in a certain newspaper. I hate gloating about anything. If one is right, one should feel a sense of satisfaction, and if one is wrong, one hangs one's head for a while. However, I hate gloating, which is an awful characteristic in anyone. The Cathaoirleach has ruled that we are not to talk about a certain newspaper.

The Senator spoke about the Immigration Bill as well. He mentioned getting anonymous letters. If a letter is anonymous, I just tear it up and do not read it. I have saved myself a huge amount of annoyance over the years. If a person does not see fit to put their name to a letter, it would give one a headache for a half an hour if one was to read it. My late father told me never to read anonymous letters and that if someone has something to say, he or she will put their name to it and that if he or she does not, it is not worth reading. I offer that advice to budding, upcoming politicians — throw such letters away.

Senator Bannon called on the Minister for Transport to deal with the driving test delays. The Cathaoirleach was wise when he said that could be taken as an Adjournment debate or in Private Members' time. It is tailor-made for such debates. Senator Terry spoke about the Immigration Bill and complained about the Adjournment debates. The Cathaoirleach said he has no control over who is put forward to respond to those debates. Senator Mooney spoke about the statutory press council but, apparently, that is not wanted either. It would be a good idea if the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, came to the House to outline his thinking on libel laws as this matter is evolving.

Senator Coghlan painted a picture of me going from hotel to hotel throughout the country, but I do not do so. I go to Kerry.