Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Whatever happens, we are welded together and Senator Bannon should note that we shall not be going to the country.

At a parliamentary party meeting yesterday, many Fianna Fáil Members expressed an interest in placing Senator Coghlan's Bill on a statutory footing. Yesterday, the officials said that was a no-no. I will endeavour to see the Minister today, which will hopefully shed a kinder light on the matter. We are glad the Bill is being taken in the House. To take up Senator Brian Hayes's point, it is positive to introduce Private Members' Bills in the House.

Senator O'Toole raised the issue of the Mahon tribunal. We all received copies of the interim report this morning. Yesterday, the Taoiseach said in the Dáil that he would seek to work with party leaders to ascertain whether the terms of reference can be changed to facilitate a different way to proceed. That would be positive. Both Houses put forward the terms of reference and passed the necessary legislation. It is now up to us to alter them and to put in place a structure to allow the matters to be dealt with. Senator O'Toole referred to the process under Article 35 and in particular to the legal costs appertaining thereto. He intends to continue to raise the matter as is his right.

Senator McCarthy praised Senator Norris also and raised the issue of the costs of the Mahon tribunal. As the interim report has been laid before the Houses, we could debate it without going into costs as a precursor to changing the terms of reference of the tribunal which we would have to debate here anyway. The Senator raised the important issue of the spread of AIDS. When the debate began ten years ago, it was seen in the light of the homosexual issue or drug abuse. AIDS has now spread massively throughout the whole community. A debate in the House would be useful and I thank Senator McCarthy for raising it.

Senator Mansergh referred to Ulysses and provided the House with a very apposite quotation from it for which I thank him. He raised the issue of the very fine agreement which has been reached between unions and management at Moneypoint. The Senator indicated that there is a balance to be struck in these matters and said equal weight should be given to the participants. Senator Finucane took up the Moneypoint issue, being from the constituency where it is located, and focused on its continuous environmental impact. When one stands on the hill at Clonmacnoise, which is near my home in the midlands, one can see the fumes from Moneypoint coming up the River Shannon. It is an amazing sight on a clear day. I was there about two weeks ago on a fine afternoon and I had forgotten how amazing it was until I saw it again. I am sure the agreement referred to takes into account the substantial cleaning-up issue.

Senator Finucane also noted how the Mahon tribunal is being dragged out. We were all very keen initially on the tribunal, but it is a different matter now. I accept that the projected timetable is Orwellian, being so frightening. Only a few of us will still be walking about when the tribunal concludes.

Senator Norris made an excellent point about the massive energy generated by the widespread interest in Joyce's work. This energy is reflected around the world, and in Irish tourism and its people, young and old, and of all sorts. The energy carries on. There are of course those who wish to criticise — let them do so.

Senator McCarthy called for a debate on AIDS. Senator Mooney made an excellent point. One thinks of cycling, GAA sports, rugby and so on, which are all-Ireland sports. The idea of having the two football associations working together — though not all wearing the green jersey, as Senator Mooney said — on events, management and sports facilities, is an excellent one. We could ask the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism for his thoughts on the matter. I am sure he is thinking about it and if he took the initiative it would be worthwhile.

Senator Coghlan asked when, following the fourth interim report by the Mahon tribunal, the terms of reference might be amended by the Houses of the Oireachtas. We await news on that from the Government, which must consult with the other party leaders. The Senator also asked about the Housing (Stage Payments) Bill. I will return to that matter when I have had a political discussion on it.

Senator Ross spoke warm words about his colleague Senator Norris. He said we had not all read Ulysses but he should speak for himself. Some of us have read it. His point related to those of us in this Chamber who have not read the book.