Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

It will be very sad if that happens.

Senator Maurice Hayes wished the Taoiseach well and accepted the statement by the Sinn Féin leadership and also welcomed Reg Empey's comments. I am delighted to tell Senator Tuffy about Seanad reform, which I want as much as she. Like her, I feel that I may not be around to see it implemented, but I want it to happen. We had started what I considered a good series of meetings with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche. I believe there had been two such meetings when a debate in the House cut across the next one to be scheduled. It is now a matter of arranging another, but we are moving forward, albeit very slowly. This Chamber would benefit greatly from full and proper reform.

Senator Mooney also mentioned the primacy of politics and expressed concern at disturbing allegations from the Irish Refugee Council regarding immigration centres. I have been worried about them for some time but could not find an echo, so I am glad to hear the Senator raise the issue.

Senator Ulick Burke suggested a review of school transport, something with which I agree. We will try to have one immediately. Regarding Killina, Senator Moylan was right to point out that parents want children to attend the school of their choice. Sometimes when I hear on RTE the pronunciations of places I know of I have to laugh. Parents wanted their children to attend Killina, despite there being good second level schools nearby. That is their choice.

Clearly school transport cannot be used if one wishes one's child to attend a school outside the relevant catchment area, but the Senator believes that such areas should be reviewed. They were drawn up in 1967, and no review has been carried out since. There is not a district in Ireland without some sort of dispute regarding catchment areas and where children should go. It was extremely sad that a young lad on his way to school was killed, with many others injured, and I support Senator Moylan's comments. We should have a good debate on school transport.

Senator Leyden thanked everyone for their good wishes. Committee and Remaining Stages of his Registration of Wills Bill 2005 are scheduled for the first week after we return from the Easter recess. The Senator is to introduce a new Bill to address defamation of the dead. This is the first time I have heard this announcement and I welcome it.

Senator Bannon called for a debate on school transport last week and today called for a debate on the underfunding of the BMW region. Senator O'Meara asked for a debate on Aer Lingus and inquired what has happened to the defamation legislation. The defamation Bill is expected to go to Cabinet next week, it is on the Government A list for publication. Perhaps Senator Leyden's Bill can be knitted in with it.