Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Senator McDowell knows, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport from the Independent Alliance was a member of the Independent grouping here. I am sure the Senator can have a word with him regarding that but the issue of driver tests is one that we all want to see solved with testing expedited because it is unfair on the many thousands of motorists and young motorists in particular who are waiting to be tested.

Senator Mullen raised the resignation of John Pittock from the audit committee of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It goes back to Senator Wilson's point. Can we stop introducing red herrings in the debate? Senator Mullen knows that I am on the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, as is he, and he recognises that I am reasonably open-minded and fair and want to see a balanced debate referred to Senator Wilson. There is conditioning on both sides, regardless of whether or not the Senator likes it. Each side is particularly good at whipping up levels of activity and rhetoric. Regarding the resignation of Mr. Pittock, the audit committee has no relationship with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. It has no function regarding Government policy or the views of the Minister so if we could-----