Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes asked that we publicly register our thanks to the gardaí, the dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral and his staff for the way the hunger strikers' protest in the cathedral was successfully brought to a conclusion. He also raised the refugee appeals system, calling for greater transparency and asking if the system should remain within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or if it should be located elsewhere. I have always felt that the refugee appeals system should be more transparent. The Senator also called for the Minister for Transport to attend a debate on Aer Lingus in this House. We will try to arrange that.

Senator O'Toole supported the call for a debate on Aer Lingus, including the service the consumer would get if privatisation took place. He also called for a debate on Iraq without it impinging on our welcome to Prime Minister Howard.

Senator O'Meara asked for debates on Aer Lingus and the events in St. Patrick's Cathedral, particularly with regard to the child care regulations. The Senator regularly asks about those regulations and I am following up on her requests. She also asked about the press council. The Bill will be published this term, although whether it will be debated is another matter.

Senator Minihan correctly complimented the clear leadership and direction of the Minister during the protest in St. Patrick's Cathedral. If one of the hunger strikers had inflicted serious harm on himself, we would be in a different situation today. We would all be very upset and would be pointing the finger of blame at certain quarters. A clear head was required to deal with the issue and there is no doubt that the required direction and leadership was given.

The human situation was one with which we all had sympathy because the men were very upset and traumatised. However, we know quite well that if the authorities had given in, there is no knowing where it would all end. The Senator also praised the 60,000 Irish ambassadors, but I will go no further on that.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the matter of the intake of students to medical schools. I am also worried about that issue because the leaving certificate, and the points system that emerges from it, has served the country well in terms of determining entry to various disciplines. If we make one particular discipline subject to different criteria, that opens the way for personal intervention by those who may wish to use their influence. The leaving certificate is difficult, although the Minister is working on reducing the length of some of the exams, but it is the best system for guiding entry to different disciplines. Many students work very hard and make a real effort to use the system properly to obtain their points. I will invite the Minister to the House to discuss the matter.

Senator Leyden commended the gardaí and the Garda Commissioner and also referred to Aer Lingus. Senator Norris praised the dean of the St. Patrick's Cathedral but it must be pointed out that Senator Brian Hayes also included him in his commendations. Senator Norris also referred to the Children Bill and the ad litem provision. Did Senator Norris insert that into the Bill?