Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I know he was not being mischievous.

Senator Walsh raised the length and cost of the ongoing tribunals of inquiry. I will discuss this matter with the other leaders at our next meeting and endeavour to arrange a debate on them before the summer recess. As Senator Walsh rightly said, we waited 12 years for the Saville report which cost €200 million. The tribunals of inquiry have cost €1 billion, which is unacceptable. The length of time they are taking needs to be discussed by colleagues. We will endeavour to have an all-party motion on all the tribunals, their length and cost before the summer recess. I will allow the amount of hours and days required. It will be discussed at the next leaders' meeting to see how it can be placed on the Order Paper.

Senator Norris raised the plight of the Palestinians. I fully support his sentiments regarding the Minister for Foreign Affairs expelling the Israeli Embassy official who allegedly had misused Irish passports.