Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We await Fine Gael's return to office to do that.

The proposal regarding Seanad reform was raised by Senator Brian Hayes and SenatorBannon. As Senator Brian Hayes is aware, there was a delay regarding two Members being put forward for the committee. The Progressive Democrats, Fianna Fáil and the Independents put forward their Members. There was a long delay following which the Labour Party put forward its Member and after another delay, Fine Gael put forward its Member. All are now in place. I regularly see the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, about the matter. He has assured me he would have a meeting of the five people on the committee before the end of the session and we will then set about implementation.

Senator Brian Hayes also raised the matter of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Peter Hain, and the return of Mr. Seán Kelly to prison. The Senator asked whether we have the same facility in this jurisdiction. It appears we do not.

Senator O'Toole raised the matter of the 15 Seanad Bills on the Dáil Order Paper. Earlier in the session, Senator Ryan, offered his services to the Dáil as a consultant in terms of processing Bills. The collective Members of the Seanad could offer themselves as consultants in this regard, however, we do not know what the other House might think of the idea. I cannot understand how there can be 15 Seanad Bills on the Dáil Order Paper, although there has been a rush in the past ten days to get them processed.