Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is fitting and proper that the House sends its warmest regards to Archbishop Robin Eames who today announced his retirement as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of the Church of Ireland at the end of this year. He was and is an extraordinary churchman who lived in extraordinary times. He represents the value of tolerance and always stood up for the decent values in this country. He did his level best to advance the cause of ecumenism in Ireland.

I make these remarks in the context of the appalling sectarian killing in County Antrim over the weekend of a 15 year old boy, MichaelMcIlveen. He was brutally killed by a sectarian gang who were out for blood lust. I believe Robin Eames's values of peace and reconciliation, which he always espoused during his time as the Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland and in the wider Anglican community, are needed to stand up to sectarianism on this island, wherever it raises its ugly head. I wish him well in his retirement. I also hope swift prosecutions will follow the awful sectarian murder in Northern Ireland over the weekend.

Will the Leader clarify the position concerning proceedings in the Lower House tomorrow? Today is Europe Day but I note the Seanad is not having a specific debate on it. I accept statements were held some weeks ago after an EU Council meeting to which I contributed. Some Senators, members of a joint committee, will attend a joint committee proceeding in the other House. I would have thought it appropriate that a debate would be held today or tomorrow in this House to reflect upon the issues at the heart of the European debate.