Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Leader's announcement in regard to the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill in respect of which we discovered only yesterday that there will be an entirely new section. It is understandable that the request from the Opposition should be acceded to, and I am glad it has been done.

In putting forward his amendment to the Order of Business, Senator O'Donovan makes an excellent prima facie case for an examination of fisheries policy. What has happened is maddening, with people needlessly tied up at ports right around the coast. It is happening not just in Castletownbere but also in Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Dingle Harbour. The Senator makes a great case for an examination of the matter. The Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, has done some great work on these types of issues in Europe in the past, and it is important that we hear from him in early course. I assume, however, that it will not happen today.

We should be careful not to get too caught up in what Northern Ireland's Attorney General has said about drawing a line under the past. As Senator Norris said, we must consider the passage of time. Anecdotally, there is evidence out there, but making it stand up in court after 25 years is another thing.