Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator is very funny. I picked up that comment.

Senator McCarthy referred to the rushed legislation and asked why the advice was not passed on at senior level. That will be the conundrum in the whole matter. He referred also to the missing plutonium at Sellafield. In the report by Brian O'Connell this morning, British Nuclear Fuels said it is missing but it is not really missing. It has gone somewhere else obviously. That is a good matter for debate.

Senator Minihan asked that the Tánaiste come to the House for a debate on the Supreme Court decision. We asked her office about that last night. There is a mechanism in the Dáil for an immediate debate if something happens, through a Private Notice Question. Given that we do not have that mechanism, we are always a step behind. I expect she will come to the House. The Senator also said the Supreme Court stood over the legislation for the future. There is general agreement that if one could pay whatever amount one could manage, that should be the case. However, that is not the position now. I was impressed by what the Tánaiste said yesterday that the payments would be made as quickly as possible. I suppose the Government will have to lay out rules and regulations. This is a substantial matter that has to be looked at quickly. Nobody wants to stand over diddling anybody, but particularly the elderly, out of their money. There was no attempt to diddle anybody. We have to get to the bottom of the issue and there is no point me talking about it.

The Senator raised also the issue of the McCartney sisters who are looking for justice regarding the death of their brother and I thank him for doing so. They are the bravest women I have heard speaking for quite some time. They are not afraid to say what they think happened and in so doing they could be marking themselves out for further odium, but they have stuck to their point of view.

Senator Coghlan asked about the second terminal and the Great Southern Hotels. I will ask the Taoiseach what is the position on those matters. The Senator sought more time to discuss those two issues.

Senator Lydon said that in the debate last night the proposer of the Bill, Senator Norris, should have been given more time to lay out his case. He had much more to say. I wish we all had more time, but when more time is allowed Members do not speak. It is amazing the number of Members who do not speak, or speak very rarely, in this House. We would welcome more time if Members would come forward to fill it. There is no point providing time if everybody trails out after an hour. I have been very disappointed at the number of Members who do not speak on matters. Members are here for a purpose, which is to make legislation or contribute to statements. I am disappointed with people who do not contribute.

The House had a wonderful debate last night involving eight speakers and more to follow. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing an extra half an hour for the debate. The Minister stayed in the House for the full two and a half hours. Speakers laid out their stall which is what we on this side wanted to happen. I thank all the Senators who contributed. I will say no more but the people who made a lot of noise yesterday were not here——