Maurice Hayes (Independent)

The Cathaoirleach will be relieved to hear that I do not intend to refer to decentralisation. I am so completely decentralised myself that I sometimes wonder where I am. The House might wish to be reminded of the release yesterday of a young lady from County Armagh who had been held as a hostage for 37 days. It is a source of great relief to everybody. Perhaps the Leader would convey to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the officials in his Department the gratitude of the community in Northern Ireland for the efforts they might have made in that regard.

I support Senator Bannon's point about the discussion and examination of European matters in the House. It is an extremely important point and will become more important as the debate on the constitution progresses. Will the Leader meet with the other party leaders to discuss ways in which European business could be given higher salience in the House?