Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I totally accept the principle of the Cathaoirleach's comments with regarding the process of impeachment. However, we are in unmapped territory. Where is the map to come from? Who is to advise us on it? We will probably need independent legal advice from a constitutional lawyer. I listened to the country's most eminent constitutional expert on radio this morning. Nobody can be in any doubt that we are looking at a very complex legal situation and in that context it must be discussed. Like Senator O'Toole, I do not accept that we are going to simply take what is handed down to us from the other House or from the Office of the Taoiseach. As the Cathaoirleach says, we have to draw up our own process and procedure and have our own view on it. This is new territory for all of us and difficult terrain. In that regard we have to discuss it, probably in private session. The eminent constitutional lawyer remarked on radio that Senators or Deputies who have commented on the whole issue may not be in a position to serve on any relevant committee. We have to examine that and the extent to which we can discuss the procedure and the most appropriate process. In that regard it is an urgent matter and I support the amendment.