Alex White (Labour)

I wish to respond to what Senator O'Malley said in this debate. She made a useful and forthright contribution in terms of content and of the procedure of this House and the manner in which we do our business, in particular during Private Members' time.

The Labour Party motion is a motion of substance and I thank Members for their contributions in that regard. However, it is hard to understand the basis for the amendment that has been tabled, given the considerable amount of meeting of minds on this issue. I did not, for the reasons I have outlined, hear the Minister of State's contribution. However, I understand from my colleagues that he gave a good account of his stewardship of this area. We believe that not enough progress is being made and that matters should be progressing far more quickly, a point also made many times by the Irish Rural Link organisation, most recently in February of this year. However, it would be churlish of us not to recognise that some progress has been made.

It appears appropriate that we take the challenge set down by Senator O'Malley. The purpose of the Labour Party in bringing forward this motion is to obtain from the Minister of State an account of his stewardship in this area and to establish from him the progress that is being made. It is important that we record and note this debate. The Minister of State has been happy to give an account of what is happening. We may not like the fact that so much remains to be done but the Labour Party and I are happy to accept that progress has been made. I see little point, therefore, in the House dividing on this motion this evening in circumstances where, essentially, as Senator O'Malley stated, the content of the motion and the amendment are the same. The Labour Party does not intend, in terms of procedure, to divide the House on this issue.

As Senator Boyle pointed out - I do not intend to have another cut at him - there is from time to time much posturing in this House on motions and amendments. Often little is achieved from what is essentially an old fashioned approach to issues on which we should be seeking to contribute to and, while disagreeing on, make progress on, in particular in the Seanad where perhaps not so much is at stake - that is not to denigrate the Seanad - in terms of the issues before us, which are often not matters of life and death.

I suggest, in the spirit of Senator O'Malley's contribution, that the Government consider not pressing its amendment in circumstances where the Labour Party is prepared reciprocally not to press its motion.