Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ryan also referred to the CIA and the possibility that the civilian planes are not civilian. A person from each of the groups in the House has come together but we have not yet established a committee. The Clerk Assistant of the Seanad kindly arranged legal advice this morning which told us we have the legal right to set up a committee of the Seanad. We will report on it next week. We are glad of their efforts on our behalf and we thank them.

Senator Mansergh said there are new trains coming to Cork. He has seen them in Tipperary and, as we said, they are being trotted out. He also said if the restorative justice terms are acceptable to the PSNI we should take them at that value. I was glad to hear that.

Senator Finucane spoke on justice and drugs and said that extra gardaí should be rostered effectively at weekends if necessary. Senator Brennan wants a debate on the commercial future of Shannon Airport and pointed out that this is a separate issue from the CIA.

Senator Norris said that world opinion has turned on the use of aeroplanes by the CIA. He pointed out that the Swedish Parliament and all of the European Parliaments are debating the matter. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs is inviting the US ambassador to explain himself and his country, but according to today's newspaper he must talk to Washington before he is allowed to come before the committee. Senator Norris also referred to the Chicago Convention which allows government representatives to enter an aeroplane.

Senator White told us she was brought up not to boast — good for her — and that the Taoiseach has told her that her dreams are coming true today. Senator Coghlan is exercised by the trains and asks where they are and why they are not in service. One cannot put trains into service like one gives a child a toy for Christmas, taking it out of the box and rolling it. It does not work like that.