Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I thank Members for their contributions and I join you, a Chathaoirligh, in welcoming Dr. Ian Paisley and Baroness Paisley. I advise Members of this House to make visits to Stormont on a regular basis and share in the public work being done by the elected members of that Assembly. There was a Senate in Northern Ireland until 1972. Outside the Senate Chamber there is a plaque to commemorate the assassination of two of its members who were actively involved in public life, as Members of this House are.

With regard to matters which arose on yesterday's business, I note the comments of Senator Frances Fitzgerald and the amendment placed by Senator Donoghue and others. We must distinguish between our reactions to statements made in the House, whether they were deemed satisfactory or not and the suitability of their content, and the substantive issue to be investigated. It is my understanding that the committee will meet today and will examine the process involved in any such investigation. It will first decide whether it should be involved or whether another agency should undertake such an investigation. However an investigation is undertaken, the recommendations of such an investigation will come back to this House for decision. It is hoped there will be clarity on that after the meeting.