Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)

I do not know what those rumblings are supposed to suggest, but it was not meant as a sexist remark. With the GAA ladies finals over the weekend and the Solheim Cup, an international event, our sports are starting to receive some attention, which I welcome. The broadcasting of the Solheim cup on Sky Sports and ESPN in the United States puts us on an international setting for tourism, which we should also welcome.

I agree with what Senator Ivana Bacik said about culture night which was a great success. I was in and around town on Friday night and people were everywhere, which was fantastic to see. We must remember Temple Bar Cultural Trust had the vision to start culture night which has come in for some criticism recently, which is somewhat excessive. While all organisations run certain things that could be better, the proof of its effectiveness is seen internally in the success of Temple Bar and externally throughout the country when we see such a wonderful event as this.

I must rush off to a meeting of a committee where I should have been at 12.30 p.m. I find it unacceptable that I am required to be at a committee meeting and here for the Order of Business at the same time. I have raised this issue on numerous occasions with the Chairman of the committee. It is more evidence of the Seanad being treated as some kind of nodding dog. I have requested that the committee start at 3 p.m. I do not know when the Dáil starts - perhaps 4 p.m. or 4.30 p.m.