Michael McCarthy (Labour)

While not proposing a vote of sympathy, I too share the sentiments expressed by the leader of the Fine Gael group on the passing of Father Niall O'Brien. He represented what is good about the clergy at a time when many questions had to be asked. When one examines the road the church has taken on some issues, Father O'Brien represented all that was good about people who give their lives to God and, in this instance, the Columban Order. Father O'Brien represented the truly marginalised and underprivileged in many communities around the globe. Following his release, when I was seven or eight years of age, he visited Dunmanway to officiate at an occasion and the number of people who turned out to see him was phenomenal. It was a mark of the esteem in which he was held.

I remind the Leader that the Law Reform Commission recently issued a report recommending legal recognition for co-habiting couples. This is a regular feature of modern life and must be examined further, particularly in light of this report as many of its recommendations can be implemented. The report notes that in 2002 almost 80,000 couples were co-habiting in this country, which speaks volumes about the amount of work which needs to be done on the issue.

Will the Leader ask the Government whether some mechanism can be put in place to prevent Ministers using their offices for the promotion of their own political parties? I refer in particular to the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the use of headed notepaper to fundraise for a constituency event. It is important that a mechanism be put in place to prevent this blatant abuse of ministerial office.

I share the sentiments expressed by other Senators about the forthcoming events of 1 May. While respecting people's right to peaceful protest, it is very important that no form of belligerence or violence be used against people. People who have different views to the vast majority will gather in this capital on Saturday and I wish the events well.