Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Fáilte romhaibh ar ais, a cháirde. Ba mhaith liom cur leis na teachtaireachtaí chomhbhróin maidir le bás máthair an Seanadóir Clune agus, go deimhin, na teachtaireachtaí céanna a sheoladh chuig clann agus cairde an Aire Stáit, an Teachta McEntee. Fear uasal ceart ab ea é. Bhí mé ag déileáil leis go rialta ar an Athló. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Bhí mhaith liom freisin daoine a fháiltiú go dtí bliain na Gaeilge. Tá Seanadóirí a dhéanann go leor iarracht ó thaobh na Gaeilge de, ach b'fhéidir go ndéanfaidh siad iarracht breise an Ghaeilge a úsáid sa Seanad i mbliana, mar gheall gur bliain na Gaeilge atá i gceist. This year, 2013, has been designated Bliain na Gaeilge.

If any Member has a cúpla focail, he or she might try to use them in the Seanad during the year.

I add my sentiments to those of Senator David Cullinane on the issues raised by the INMO on the nursing debacle. It is appalling and obvious from correspondence received by the INMO that it was a cutback made by stealth and it is one which certainly must be debated.

On numerous occasions I have called on the Leader to invite the Deputy First Minister and the First Minister to address the House. Such addresses would be more pertinent than ever in view of what has been happening in the last month or so to provide us with an update on the position in the Six Counties. It would be a very interesting time to have a debate on a Border poll, an issue on which Sinn Féin launched a campaign during the weekend. It would be a very fruitful debate. I welcome the DUP's statement today that it would have no issue with the holding of such a poll. I would like to see where the Government, Fianna Fáil and Independent Members stand on this one. It would be a worthwhile debate to have with the First Minister, Mr. Robinson, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr. McGuinness. I also call on the Leader to invite the Tánaiste to update the House on the current position in the North and the Government's response.