Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the report by Mr. Justice Frederick Morris and gave him due praise, with which we all concur. He said there should be international scrutiny of the Garda Síochána. However, he introduced balance by pointing out that 99% of the members of the force should hold their heads high, even though for gardaí in general this is a black day. Senator Ross echoed what Senator Brian Hayes said about what happened in Donegal and feared it would undermine gardaí.

Senator Ross said the debate on Europe which we had here has been overtaken by events, which is true. He proposed the Seanad should take a lead in debating this matter again. Senator Brian Hayes proposed earlier this week that we defer such a debate for two or three weeks until the Council meeting of Prime Ministers is held at which the outcome of the various votes that have been held and which fall to be held will be discussed.

Senator Ross said there is an all-party consensus or a type of establishment agreement on the EU. People have an inbuilt suspicion of establishments coming together and being in favour of something and they think something is wrong if all the establishments are in favour of it. Senator Ryan touched on this matter yesterday and pointed out that 82% of French working class people had voted against the proposed constitution.

Senator Ryan raised the Interpretation Bill. I have heard it said on several occasions in the Dáil — I know we are not meant to talk about the other House — that this Bill is with the Seanad but it is not. It was taken away to be amended and it was never brought back. I agree with the Senator's proposal that if, by the end of June or beginning of July when we break up, it has not been resubmitted here, we should take it off the Order Paper.