Joe O'Toole (Independent)

No. 18 , the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Bill 2006, is in the name of the Independent Senators. Elements of it have been included in the Criminal Justice Bill, for which I thank the Minister. I withdraw it from the Order Paper.

The House should have a discussion on No. 1, when it comes back from committee. It cannot come back to House as a fait accompli. It is crucial that Members have an understanding of what process will be established to consult the public and if it will be before or after Second Stage.

Senator Brian Hayes's information on the Library arrangements is incorrect. The decision was taken by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. Over the years there has been a demand from Members of both Houses for a fully extended research and library service. The service will be increased to 12 times its current capacity to provide both librarians and researcher. It will allow Members to contact a research station, either based in the Oireachtas Library or Kildare House. It is not my understanding that there will be only one librarian in the library. Electronic, telephone or personal points of contact will be provided. A substantial staff complement will be in place from 1 September, bringing us almost into line with other parliaments. Members will be able to request information and research on topics and Bills. It will mean we are not restricted to the partial memoranda from Departments. We will be able to get a view that is not biased in one direction or another. It will add substantially and exponentially to the level of services available. An announcement on the arrangements will be made shortly.