Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes sought a debate on what he terms as the "shambles" of decentralisation.

The Senator also sought a debate on the 11,500 children born here of non-national parents. As the Senator stated, legislation dealing with the outcome of the referendum will be introduced next week. The debate on that legislation, which is scheduled for next week, will encompass that and many other matters. I hope we will have an opportunity to debate the issue fully at that time.

Senator O'Toole also requested an early debate on decentralisation and stated that the House was misled in terms of what was said during the previous debate here on this matter. There is only one slot for next week in which legislation is not due to be debated. Senator Ross already requested a debate last week on Aer Lingus. I agree that decentralisation, particularly in terms of the positive news relating to it, should be debated in the House. It is a matter of whether we can come to an arrangement with Senator Ross. It is amazing that the people who are so exercised today about decentralisation are those who did not want it.