Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

If the Dáil is tardy there is nothing we can do about it but we will do our business in a business-like way, not in a rushed way.

We have been informed that the Council of Europe Development Bank Bill must be enacted by 30 November or else the terms of the Bill will have to be renegotiated. If the other House is tardy we cannot do anything about it but, as I have proved on several occasions, I will not stand over the rushing of any Bill in this House.

Senator O'Toole also echoed what Senator Brian Hayes said, with which we would all agree, about the waste of State time on petty issues. When some issue that is glaringly unjust arises, we would have a rush of comment here on the matter but the case in Limerick was absurd. It was clear that it was not the woman's dog anyway so what was it all about? Her family paid the fine, not wanting to see her go to prison.

Senator Ryan referred to the young Palestinian child, Iman al-Hams, who was murdered by the Israelis about which there is a justifiable wave of condemnation. He moved an amendment to the Order of Business which was seconded by Senator Finucane. I intended replying to this matter but my colleague Senator Mooney very ably dealt with it. Senator Ryan is fully entitled to his comments about ODA but I regret the linking of it with the talks currently going on in London. I hope we would all wish the team in London well. I felt a shock when Senator Ryan referred to Dr. Paisley and so on. The talks are ongoing and we wish them well.