Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

——with which we would all agree. They are our bulwark but I do not know about the Pope; there is only one Pope so we cannot do anything about that.

Senator Norris also called for a debate on the Morris tribunal report and raised the case of the McBrearty family.

A date has not been set for a referendum to be held here. I am sure that after due consideration a question on the proposed constitution will be put to the people but we do not know when a referendum will be held.

Senator Morrissey pointed out that motorcyclists account for 15% of road fatalities and he called for a debate on that matter, which I will seek. Senator John Paul Phelan commended Mr. Justice Morris, whom I also commend. He referred to the referendum in Spain. The minute Prime Minister Zapatero's party was elected with a good majority he ran with the idea of holding a referendum quickly. That was a good political strategy. They were flush with victory and acclaim and they went for the vote. In this context, a difficulty is faced by regimes that have been in office for perhaps three or four years. The Spanish Prime Minister had success in the referendum and the referendum was passed in Latvia.

Senator Mooney called for a debate on the report on the Morris tribunal report; he knows the McBrearty family. The Senator called also for a debate on the European Union.

Senator O'Meara paid tribute to Mr. Justice Morris. She also raised the case of Tristan Dowse. I have asked if we could have a debate on the lack of independent legal representation for the child. The Senator echoed what Senator Ryan said about the Interpretation Bill.

Senator Maurice Hayes called for a reflective debate on Europe, which we need. The Senator called for a debate on the report on the Morris tribunal before the Garda Síochána Bill concludes in the other House because it would give us an opportunity to have our say regarding that Bill.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the question of consultants examining the reliability of electronic voting. A commission is examining that matter and an eminent member of the staff of the Seanad is a member of it. The commission has issued interim reports, I believe it has issued two but I am not sure, and I expect further reports will be issued as the examination continues. The Senator called for the Minister responsible to come to the House to debate the issue.

Senator Quinn raised the question of the release of prisoners. One can only imagine what the McBrearty family, including the children of the various families and the extended families, have suffered. It is a major miscarriage of justice but I am sure we would all agree that the gardaí should not be demoralised within the community. We rely on the Garda Síochána and this debate will give us a chance to echo the view that it is a fine force but those who erred must be brought to justice.

I pay tribute to Senator Jim Higgins, MEP, who at the time this story broke was a TD and also Deputy Brendan Howlin. They stuck their heads above the parapet when nobody wanted to listen to them. Well done to them.