Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Yes. That is the story. Ms O'Toole is a fine woman and the country is lucky to get her. Senator Mansergh mentioned Robert MacBride and his comments that republicans should be involved in the police force.

Senator Coghlan used the words "fairness", "impartiality" and "neutrality"— excellent English — about the gardaí and said these are not in question. I agree. It is about their representative organisation. However, I must again stress that gardaí have a right to make their point, not in a confrontational way but individually to other people, if they wish to do so.

Senator Ó Murchú spoke about Palestine. This morning the EU announced that it would continue to provide humanitarian aid and that it had reached an agreement on an approach to deal with this matter. It intends to move forward on it. A major meeting is due to be held next Monday.