Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no doubt that the Senator will do so.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú spoke about the British Prime Minister?s intention to hold a referendum on EU membership. As Senator Sean D. Barrett mentioned, Gay Mitchell, MEP, is to come to the House and I am sure that question will be put to him and that we will have a lively exchange of views. During the Irish Presidency the Government will have many discussions with the Prime Minister. Like the Senator, I believe it is in our interests, as well as those of the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, that Britain is actively involved in a strong European Union.

I have addressed the question raised by Senator Mary White about suicide. Senators Michael Mullins and Catherine Noone spoke about pensions for former Ministers. Senator Michael Mullins called on some of them to gift part of their pensions to the State. We await their response. Senator Catherine Noone also spoke about food labelling and said it was unacceptable for goods to be marked as Irish which had not originated but had only been produced here. That is a problem and we will try to bring the relevant Minister to the House in early course to discuss it.