Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after ''Seanad Éireann'' and substitute the following:

''notes:

the lengthy and detailed consideration of the Ombudsman's special report on the lost at sea scheme by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;

the views of the joint committee, as set out in paragraph 5 of the committee's report; and

notes and accepts:

the decision and recommendations of the Joint Committee, as set out in paragraph 6 of the committee's report.''

I am very well acquainted with this story because I have spoken on it on a number of occasions in the House and at meetings of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, although I am not a member of that committee. As Senator Carty pointed out, the matter has been debated comprehensively in this House and the lower House. It may be counterproductive to discuss it during Private Members' time at this stage.

Everybody in this House has the deepest sympathy for the Byrne family of Donegal on its loss. Everybody would like to see it receive compensation and a vehicle put in place that would allow it to draw it down. Having said that, I reject outright the comments of Senator Regan to the effect that the lost at sea scheme was devised by a Minister in such a way as to benefit a small number of his constituents, to the disadvantage of everybody else. That has been rejected and it is most unfair to the former Minister, Deputy Fahey, to keep trotting out this charge against him.