Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, asked if we were all shocked by the comments of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. We were not. Of all the Ministers, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is extremely precise in what he says. If one rereads or listens again to what he said, one will note what he said was that if Sinn Féin fulfilled the requirements — its democratic prowess has already been shown — it would be a consideration but only under those circumstances. That is what is important. We will endeavour to ask the Minister to come to the House for a debate on Northern Ireland.

Senator Brian Hayes also asked about the Garda Síochána Bill. The amendments, of which there are many, are still being processed by the Office of the Attorney General but there is a delay. It is expected that they will be sorted out and ready for debate by the end of this term. That would be helpful.