Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Those Members, especially those on the Independent benches, who have been in the House long enough — God knows that a good number of them have been in the House quite a long time — will remember when only two or three Bills would be initiated in this House in the 1980s and the early 1990s. All fair-minded comment would have to say that this House now plays a considerable and meaningful part in scrutinising legislation. We see it being introduced, including all the legislation from Europe. I was Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and we scrutinised about 40% of all EU legislation and amending legislation introduced. The challenge faced 15 or 20 years ago by Members of Seanad Éireann is quite different from that faced today by Members of the House.

I will certainly pass on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Ryan's serious concerns and genuinely strong views in respect of the matter he raised. Senators David Norris and Margaret Cox called for amendments to the Order of Business with which I certainly cannot agree because time does not allow us.