John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I agree with Senator Jim Walsh that it is appropriate for this House to debate the report of the sub-committee of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which considered the report of the Barron inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The legislative programme takes precedence until the end of the session but we will try to accommodate such a debate before the House rises or during the next session.

Senator Mooney raised the interview by Ms Carole Coleman of RTE with the President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush. It is unclear whether there was a complaint from the United States authorities but I agree with the Senator that media freedom is essential to democracy and must be protected.

Senator McHugh asked about developments in the Northern Ireland peace process and he can be reassured that there will be serious initiatives made in the autumn with the objective of restoring the executive and Assembly. We will debate this matter when the House returns after the summer recess.

I congratulate the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs on the work done during the Irish Presidency of the EU, which concludes today. I acknowledge their work and that of the public servants, in particular, and recognise that we now have an EU constitution, an incoming President of the Commission, Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso, and the successful EU-US Summit.

Perhaps in the autumn the Cathaoirleach might invite the new president of the CPP to address the House.