Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I agree that when the report is issued by the European Parliament committee, we should debate it in the House. That would be the proper thing to do. The Senator said that he wished the truth to emerge. I listened to the debate on RTE this morning, in the course of which neither participant covered himself in glory.

Senator Glynn raised mandatory sentencing, on which he seeks a debate. He also brought up local newspapers, which is linked to the issue of larger and smaller stores. There is only one independent newspaper left in Leinster, all others being part of groups, and that is also of concern. We expect local newspapers to reflect local viewpoints.

Senator Ulick Burke stated that gardaí were not receiving proper driver instruction during training. That is a commonsense issue that we might raise.

Senator Mooney wishes me to refute what Senator Ryan has said. We must await the report before debating the matter fully in the House. He also said that something murky was afoot in the undergrowth of the music industry. If that is so, it should be exposed, since the big five international music companies, as he terms them, are influencing events.

Senator Norris raised the report of the European Parliament committee on rendition, which we will debate. He also spoke of debating the report on recognising same-sex relationships. He wants movement on his own Bill, regarding which the relevant Minister commissioned the report that has now been issued.

Senator Maurice Hayes spoke of mandatory sentencing and Senator Norris's Bill, as well as the British-Irish Agreement and the explanatory memorandum, which is not worthy of the name, merely serving to confuse.

Senator Bannon requested that the Minister attend the House to discuss greenhouse gas emissions and his plans to make up the shortfall. He also asked regarding the Abbeylara report, in which regard the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Michael McDowell, will attend the House. This is not hero worship but fact. The Minister came with the Prisons Bill 2006 and spent all his time on it here, preferring not to run away and send someone in his stead. On Committee Stage, he did the same. Having listened to the debate on the amendments, I feel that he gives the best value that I have ever experienced. He definitely gives of himself, although he is a very senior Minister. That is not hero worship but fact.