Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Alternatively, whatever grouping has been allocated Private Members' time that week could extend the time available by one hour.

Other speakers have spoken of the need for real debate. Together with other speakers, I have previousy called for real debate in the House and have had such debate. Sometimes, however, the House would not even have a quorum for what is called and stands for real debate. As for the debate that is exercising everyone, I for one did not hear the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition. However, on being told of them, I considered them to be somewhat knee-jerk in nature because I had read the report he had given to the MacGill Summer School when he called for reform. I was one of the Fianna Fáil Senators who appeared on "The Late Late Show" a few months ago with my Labour Party and Independent colleagues when Fine Gael refused to send any representative.