Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)

At risk of incurring wrath, I believe it is worth echoing our congratulations for those films that have been nominated for Oscars, namely, "The Shore" and "Pentecost". It is a wonderful achievement.

However, to cut to the chase in regard to Seanad reform, one action we have tried to pursue is the format of questions and answers with Ministers when they attend. When we see a consultant obstetrician, Dr. Gerry Burke, talking on television about the risk of losing babies or mothers we know a very serious line is approaching. Generally, consultants do not make statements of that nature. Will the Leader ensure that when the Minister for Health attends the House in two weeks' time to discuss the health service plan we can maximise the time available by being allowed to ask questions? We can stick to the questions and answers routine in order to allow as many speakers as we can. The fear is that in trying to reform that part of our work we should slide back, as we have shown ourselves to do on the Order of Business, by adding subjects every day.