Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the people of the Inishowen Peninsula. The parish priest said now is the time for grief and solidarity but that questions will need to be asked and further conversation had in respect of road safety. It is very important that this happen.

I support what was said on the HIQA report. We need to reflect on the disconnect that while we are focusing, justly to some extent, on enlarging the State's ability to intervene where children are vulnerable, it is becoming increasingly clear that the State is no substitute for the family. We need to discuss in the next term what we are doing to support families to try to ensure children have the best possible start and support in life. Unless we focus on marriage and the family and are willing to brave charges of political incorrectness, we will not vindicate the rights of children in the longer term.

I have a question that very much relates to last week's business, albeit connected with last week's business. I will be tabling a motion for the Order Paper today and will be asking for a debate tomorrow on the question of using the guillotine on Committee Stage debates. I am very glad Senator Bradford brought this up. It used to be the Leader's proud claim that Committee Stage debates were not guillotined in the Seanad. The ability of the Seanad to scrutinise legislation and offer alternative perspectives to those heard in the Dáil was one of our proud boasts collectively. Last week, however, for political as distinct from emergency or exceptional reasons, that good practice was jettisoned on a fairly flimsy pretext.

The reason I am asking for this debate tomorrow, and giving the Leader notice thereof, is that we have had longer Committee Stage debates in the past. It must be said that some Members in this House knew there would be a guillotine. The Green Party, for example, called an impromptu press conference at 3.30 p.m. before any of us knew there would be a guillotine.