Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

3:00 pm

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, raised the serious matter of privilege and the private papers of Senators and Deputies. He referred to Senator Higgins and Deputy Howlin. I will seek to have a relevant Minister — possibly the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform — debate this issue in the House. The Senator also asked for a debate on Northern Ireland and I hope to have one very soon. He also claimed that this is a legislative assembly but that we do not pass Bills. We have processed every Bill before us and sent it on to the Dáil. The Dáil has 15 of our Bills which still must be passed in that House. I do not know how more Bills can be brought forward because they will only add to that pile. I do not have any list, although we sought one.

Senator O'Toole called for a debate on privilege and also brought up the matter of Judge Curtin. I read in the newspaper that the Supreme Court was to give a decision by mid-March. I know no more than that.

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