Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I am endeavouring for this to take place and I will update the House tomorrow, if possible, in that regard.

I join with Senators Fitzgerald and Feeney in offering congratulations to the students in Trinity College on this exciting development where the abilities of these students are being recognised and acknowledged. I wish to be associated with the congratulations offered to them here today.

Senator O'Toole expressed his views on the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, coming to the House tomorrow. There is much interest from all sides of the House in this matter and I have no difficulty in this business being rolled over for next week, with the agreement of the House tomorrow morning.

Senator Alex White inquired about the new emergency Bill referred to in The Irish Times today. As the Government's representative in the House, I take my instructions from the Government meeting on Tuesday morning or from the meeting of the Whips. The meeting of the Whips this week takes place this evening and we are awaiting a response on the matter into which Senator Alex White is inquiring. At present, I do not have an instruction. When I have one, I will come back to the House first thing in the morning. My office will contact the leaders of the various parties and groups in this House to update them on the position on that legislation as soon as I am informed.

Mention was made of the power of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. This has always been the case, it is not a new dimension. As has been stated, the strength of the good backbencher attending such party meetings is to bring the views of the grassroots, the rank and file and of the people we represent, not only in the city of Dublin but all over Ireland.