Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator MacSharry and ask that the professionals involved, including architects and solicitors, as well as the company be added to the list of people who should be investigated and held to account. They extracted considerable and handsome fees and have some responsibility for this unfortunate situation in Donaghmede.

Will the Leader agree to work with the leaders of the groups in the House to table a motion in support of the recommendations of the Oireachtas sub-committee on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings? The Dáil passed an all-party motion and the Seanad should at least do the same. Unlike the Dáil, we should then pursue the matter.

In a similar vein, will the Leader consider a second all-party motion condemning the British Government for its failure to hold a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989? Following Judge Peter Cory's investigation, this matter formed part of an agreement between the Irish and British Governments to the effect that public inquiries into a number of murders would be held. While an investigation concerning Billy Wright was held in the North and the Smithwick tribunal investigated the shootings of RUC members Harry Breen and Robert Buchanan, it is unacceptable that an international agreement has been disregarded by the British Government, as evidenced by the Prime Minister's announcement of a paper review of the murder. The family's members are dissatisfied and I am delighted that our Government is supporting them.

Last week, I referred to EU scrutiny. We have 175 pages to read ahead of tomorrow's meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is no way for the Houses to do business where EU scrutiny is concerned. Not one member of the committee will have read all of these pages. Given the impact of the various directives and proposals from Europe, this approach is a shame. I appeal to the Leader, the Cathaoirleach and the CPP's other members to take this issue on board. The House was to have played a role in examining all EU proposals. It would have benefited the House and enhanced the Government's response.

As Senator Daly stated last week, 480 observations on these proposals have been made to the EU. Not one observation has come from Ireland. This is unacceptable and we should cry halt.