Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the Garda Síochána Bill. It is the intention to bring the Garda Síochána Bill back to the Seanad during the last week of this session to deal with amendments made in the Dáil. Senator Maurice Hayes mentioned that he did not think it should be left on ice for too long or the momentum towards reform would be lost.

Senator Brian Hayes thought there would be time for reflection on the Morris report. He condemned the transfer of five Donegal gardaí to Dublin. There is public disquiet and distinct unhappiness about the transfer of these gardaí with whatever baggage they may bring. That they will not be dealing with the public, as we heard this morning, is condemnation in itself. Two other members have resigned.

Senator O'Toole asked for additional time for the debate on the Morris report. The Labour Party Private Members' motion will be debated tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Committee Stage of the Registration of Deeds and Title Bill will be taken from 7.15 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. I will examine this and consider whether it is possible to add additional time. I thank the Labour Party for its helpful attitude and for taking up that issue in the Private Members' motion. People who wanted to speak on the matter will now be able to do so. I hope to have that worked out by tomorrow morning.

Senator O'Toole welcomed the decision on Irish, which I also think is great. The Minister was great on television and queried why people complained about a sum of €3 million, which is going to a good cause, when so much money is wasted in Europe. Senator O'Toole also referred to café bars and restaurants. Restaurants will now have full licences although one could always get a drink other than wine in a restaurant — perhaps one should not have been able to do so. People speak blithely as if wine were not alcohol.