Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

On the matter raised by Senator Norris, I understand the committee which will scrutinise the appointment to the Court of Auditors does not include any Irish MEPs. However, MEPs who are not official members may attend the meeting and raise questions. I also understand eight nominations will come before the committee in question today, of which six will be approved and two referred for further examination.

Is it possible to increase the number of new Bills commencing in the House? In recent weeks, a Bill was published to address the cash for gold business where stolen items are being exchanged for cash and melted down before the Garda are informed. In recent days, a Garda superintendent informed me of a case involving two young lads who left secondary school at lunchtime, removed a copper cylinder from a vacant house and traded it in for €50 from a scrap metal merchant the same evening. When the gardaí went to secure evidence, the copper cylinder had unfortunately been melted into a small block and they were unable to secure much evidence. The Garda Síochána is anxious to have the legislation enacted at an early date. Could the Bill be commenced in this House if it has not already been commenced in the Dáil?