Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The judgment shows the legislation is working. Senator Kitt supported the call for a debate on Northern Ireland. He also drew attention to the issue of Sellafield. The radiological protection institute now has open access to the premises and workers and can ask questions and get full information. This new accord between the United Kingdom and Ireland is a significant development and was not given much attention until today. There was a time when we dreaded confrontation. I remember when a previous Taoiseach and Prime Minister had an open spat resulting in mayhem and confusion.

Senator Bradford called for debate on Northern Ireland and the Sudan. Senator MacSharry called for a debate on incineration and a review of local government funding. I am tired of hearing about reviews of local government funding as we seem to get no result from them. We get no more money, whatever about the review. It seems we review it but never implement it.

Senator Henry praised the patience of the Prime Minister and Taoiseach. We can only imagine all the back-breaking visits, readings, files, deputations and listening involved. It is amazing. She also asked if the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform could come to the House to tell us about facilities for young people in trouble. She wants to know what is available, the difficulties emerging in different centres.

Senator Leyden raised the issue of the undocumented Irish people in the United States. He wants us to make this a cause for 2005.

Senator Ulick Burke asked that we bring the SDLP centre stage. It was always centre stage until the electoral mandate shifted the pawns on the chess board. The current situation is a result of how the votes turned out. The Taoiseach has always made a definite effort to meet Mark Durkan and invite him to his office. The role the SDLP has played is significant and cannot be underestimated.

With the permission of the Cathaoirleach, I wish to make some general points about next week's arrangements for the Seanad. Besides carrying over some Bills, we will have two new Bills to deal with next week, the Social Welfare Bill and a short Bill which deals with the selling on of social housing and proposes to close a loophole in the current system where people sell their social housing in a lucrative manner.

Today is our third day working on Committee Stage of the Garda Síochána Bill and we are endeavouring to arrange another day for this next week, not envisaged initially. This important Bill is very detailed and it is only right that we give it comprehensive debate. At the same time, we cannot stay on one Bill forever. However, we hope to have a fourth day for Committee Stage next week.

We thought we would not have to sit on Friday next, but this looks increasingly likely. It will require co-operation from other parties if we are to finish on Thursday night so as to make a Friday sitting unnecessary. We are working on it but co-operation is required.