Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, asked about the Social Welfare Bill. It will be debated in this House on 15 and 16 December. No doubt all the Senator's questions will then be answered. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs did very well in his new brief, achieving a fine range of finances for social welfare.

Senator Brian Hayes also asked about the NCT. The debate in this House on that matter was excellent. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, said that the PricewaterhouseCoopers report would be published at the end of November and we will find out why this has not happened.

Senator O'Toole referred to speculation regarding the release of those convicted of the killing of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. There is no doubt in anybody's mind who has made the demand for their release, but Senator O'Toole asked about the reasons. I undertook to speak to the Taoiseach yesterday, which I did. I expressed clearly the concerns of Members who spoke, and those who did not, on the matter. I had quite an intense conversation with him about it. As I said yesterday, I have no doubt he finds the whole thing as painful and as draining as we find it.