Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Finucane, the acting leader of the Opposition, referred to the Travers report but stated he would wait until tomorrow to comment definitely on it. He also referred to the IRA statement from the infamous P. O'Neill. The Senator set the tone for the mini-debate we have had. The statement was breathtaking in its chilling obscenity. One could hardly believe what one was reading or that the wording was correct. The McCartney family has brought home to us this stark realisation.

Senator O'Toole again raised the issue of untrained teachers after stating yesterday that a class action on the matter by parents was possible. The Senator asked me to bring the issue to the attention of the Attorney General. I will bring it to the attention of whoever is the proper legal authority. The Senator also requested that while he understood the entitlements of a particular person leaving the Department of Health and Children, there would be no reward for him in another position.

Senator O'Toole also raised a point that was brought home strongly to me. He stated that pub talk would lead some to say: "Is that not what they deserve? They deserve to be shot." The Senator is correct that this kind of comment can be easily said and assimilated. However, in this case, it is a bad example.

I felt proud last week that Senator Ryan was a Member of the House and that I shared membership with him. I heard almost the whole debate to which he referred, although not the final part when the Senator was cut off. However, Senator Dardis has affirmed that part to me. I heard most of the debate because I try to be in my car when there is something on the radio I can listen to. The Senator did us all proud. A newspaper reprinted the text of the debate at the weekend. Was it The Sunday Tribune?