Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I am proposing an amendment which Senator Crown will shortly second. If there is one thing to be learned from the McNulty affair, it is the contempt that the Taoiseach and the Government have for the Seanad, notwithstanding the decision of the people. To continue to treat the Seanad as a political pawn, as it has in this affair, blatantly disregards the clear message and consensus that came from the electorate, which was that the Seanad was to be retained as our second Chamber and its functions fully respected as well as developed.

Will the Deputy Leader organise a debate in due course about the forthcoming Second International Conference on Nutrition, which will take place in Rome from 19 November to 21 November? It may be a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but it is also one for the Department of Health. Who will represent Ireland at this conference? Up to 167 million children under the age of five are chronically undernourished. Ireland, with its great agricultural tradition and the contribution of organisations such as Gorta and Self Help Africa, has particular points to make and a great role to play in addressing the problem of world hunger, particularly by promoting excellence and improvement in agriculture.

It would be appropriate that we would have a debate on that. Finally, I remind colleagues of the invitation sent to them about Julia Holcomb's address today in LH200 about her tragic story involving a late-term abortion.