Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Before I reply on the Order of Business, I again ask the Cathaoirleach to allow me make a short statement. A meeting, to be held at 4.30 p.m. this afternoon, has been arranged with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Chief Whip for the representatives of the groups from the Seanad who met the Attorney General last week regarding the motions on the forthcoming legislation. The meeting may also be attended by an Independent Member and Senator Maurice Hayes. This may help in the matters about which some Senators have expressed disquiet this morning.

Senator Brian Hayes asked when we would see the amendment to the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunity of Witnesses) Act 1997. It is proposed that it will be in the Dáil in the morning and I hope it will be available to us this evening. In any case, we will know following the meeting at 4.30 p.m.

The Senator also raised the issue of school results and the strong voice of parents who have lobbied for their publication for a long time. I, too, am concerned by the fragmented way in which some of these results, but not all, are being dealt with by newspapers and that we are not getting a whole-school result. A whole-school result stretches beyond examination results and refers to many other factors, including children's character and development.

Senator Joe O'Toole made the point that we are only seeing extracts from school reports. I, too, was glad that we could meet the Attorney General yesterday. The Senator spoke of the unknown vista that is opening up in front of us all. I agree with him in this regard. I hope that every time we receive further information and put it together, the appropriate course of action will be taken. For all us, it is still an untrodden path, which makes the matter much more difficult. There is no template to copy and on which to draw.

Senator O'Toole also referred to the breaking up of the three Aer Rianta airports. In fact, the relevant Bill was to come before us next week. We had received information from the Minister's office that the Minister wished to introduce it in the House next week. We did not receive any information to the contrary but we read in the newspaper that the Bill is not being produced this week. The Minister is correct to go slower and consider the views of all the participating parties.