Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ardagh mentioned the Player Wills site in her area and said she was pleased with the plans for the site. She also raised the issue of unsolicited calling. We have all experienced seeing somebody from Somalia ringing us on our phones, trying to get money out of us. The emails to which she referred are of great concern. When I was a solicitor, I remember an older person coming in and presenting me with an email that was obviously a scam, though it was not obvious to that person. There are people who are not used to dealing with emails and who are vulnerable as a result. It is a valid point to raise and it is an issue we should discuss in the new year.

I agree with Senator McDowell that this is a civilised House and there is plenty of scope for us to have a fair and respectful debate this afternoon and next week. I do not think for one second that we should bulldoze the legislation through the House or that we should simply rubber stamp things. Nor do I subscribe to the view that some people are morally inferior to others in this House. I referred to this point on the Order of Business yesterday and I suggested that some people just think they are better than others.

Senator Ruane and others raised the possibility of sitting on Monday. The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 will be discussed today and next week. I have no difficulty with sitting on Monday but it would have to be Monday afternoon. It would require the Cathaoirleach to allow it because the deadline for submitting Committee Stage amendments is tomorrow and we would have to allow the Bills Office to at least have Monday morning to get the amendments to us for Monday. I think 11.30 a.m. is a bit early for rural Senators, as well as for the Bills Office. I am agreeable to sit on Monday and Tuesday for Committee Stage but we may need a break between Committee Stage and Report Stage.