Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senator Colm Burke spoke on the need for reform, particularly in dealing with European legislation. The Senator raised the very valid point that no representations were made from this State in regard to European legislation, which is not a good situation. The question of inviting European Commissioners is one which we can deal with in the CPP. To have a calendar listing those people available for each period of months would be a good idea, and something I am sure the CPP will deal with.

On the point made by Senator Cullinane, there was no comment from the Senator when the motion was put to the House. On the question of group leaders, the Senator needs to realise that the Sinn Féin Members are not a group in this House. It takes seven or five or whatever it is to have a group in this House. The Senator is not a group leader, he is the leader of Sinn Féin in the House. If he had the 14 Members of the other House in the Seanad, he would certainly have a group.