Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes inquired about proposed legislation for this session. The legislative programme will include: the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill, Committee and Final Stages; the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill; the Prisons Bill; and the Child Care (Amendment) Bill, about which Senator O'Meara has been asking. We will also debate the Appropriation Bill and the Social Welfare Bill. There will be others but these have not yet been brought forward. Senator O'Meara asked about the defamation and privacy Bills, both of which will be published during this session.

Senator Hayes also raised the matter of the Morris and Barr tribunals and sent his best wishes to the garda shot in the course of duty. All Members would agree with this sentiment.

The Senator also referred to the spectre of money and genuine embarrassment. Senator Mansergh pointed out that leaders of other parties did not have to fulfil the course of payments. We could all talk about such matters but I welcome the restraint in the House.

Senator O'Toole stated that he is full of imagination after the summer recess. We are delighted to know this and I am sure life on the waterways must have helped in that regard. I agree with the Senator that we should not rush to judgment and he is watching to see if any tax or ethics laws have been broken. The Taoiseach stated that no such laws have been broken.

I fully agree with Senator O'Toole congratulating the new Tánaiste. It is no wonder that many Senators, including my colleague, Senator Dardis——-