Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes welcomed General de Chastelain's report on decommissioning and the response of the Ulster Unionist Party to it. The UUP welcomed the report and stated it would return to the issue when fuller details become available. The UUP response was statesman-like.

The Private Members' motion will be amended by the Government but because the Cabinet was meeting this morning, the amendment will be printed on a supplementary Order Paper. We have conveyed that information to the staff of the Seanad Office.

Senator O'Toole wrote to me last week about early childhood education and Senator O'Meara was vociferous about the issue before the recess. Senator O'Toole also praised John Hume and said that old fashioned class politics were now developing in the North, something that will take time to root out. A weariness has crept in, North and South, about the debate. We all say it is wonderful but it has been going on for so long. Senator O'Toole also raised the issue of An Daingean-Dingle. He could move No. 18 on the Order Paper, his own Bill, and we could work out a time to debate it.

Senator Ryan welcomed the report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. He mentioned Shell and the Rossport five. He also asked me to find out if all flights must have a manifesto detailing the people and material on board and if any flights are exempt from such provisions. I will find out. He further asked about the closure of sweatshops, now that the EU does not require a declaration on the origin of clothing. None of us would like to be associated with the purchase of clothes from sweatshops but we do not know about it. The Senator also claimed some EU directives are not being debated in the Oireachtas and that there has not been a report on the finances of the VECs since 1999.

Senator Dardis welcomed events in Northern Ireland and paid particular tribute to the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister but he rightly poured very cold water on the comparison made by RTE's Northern editor between Gerry Adams and Mahatma Ghandi. One worked by peaceful means and the other did not.

Senator Finucane asked about the meeting of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on the matter involving Shell.

We will see if the Minister will attend to discuss this issue. Senator Kenneally echoed the welcome to Senator Bohan on his return to the House. He also wants the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to attend regarding transport and accommodation for the recently publicised radiotherapy plans.

Senator Quinn wrote a very good article in this morning's edition of The Irish Times on the relevance or otherwise of the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, as he has left the Chamber, he cannot receive the compliment personally.