Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator is very sexist. Senator Brian Hayes, whom I would not have thought would be sexist, asked that the Government would not oppose Second Stage of the Housing (Stage Payments) Bill tonight. I intended to seek that because Senator Coghlan had spoken to me about this. Senator Coghlan has a letter from the Minister which would be of assistance in the debate. Perhaps we can agree on Second Stage and then go on from there. I hope I can persuade the Government to agree to Second Stage and to deal with Committee Stage later where the issue can be teased out.

Senator Brian Hayes also referred to sudden cardiac death syndrome, raised by Senator Feeney yesterday, and asked about the coroners Bill. Before Christmas, Deputy Rabbitte tabled an urgent amendment in the Dáil, which we took quickly here, that addressed a particularly sad situation. That was helpful but the much larger Bill to provide for reform of the coroners' service and replace the Coroners Act 1962 will be published later this year. The delay between an autopsy and the coroner's verdict leads to delays in the finalisation of financial affairs, adding to grief for families. This is a matter of concern and we await the Bill. Finality is necessary in such situations.

Senator O'Toole supports the Housing (Stage Payments) Bill and is delighted with Éire Ireland and Dingle-Dangle, as Senator Norris put it. I thought that was hilarious but it points the way forward.

When Senator Ryan spoke there was noise to his left. We thought he meant Senator McCarthy but not so. It was further left again.