Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to what was called a dangerous precedent last night in which an amendment was not be allowed to be withdrawn. I understand the argument completely. It is courteous. We all may need to have amendments withdrawn at certain points, for whatever reason. However, it is an equally dangerous precedent to speak on an amendment for two hours and then withdraw it. There has to be some reasonableness in how we approach our business. I wish to say that in a calm way, because it was a little bit heated in here last night.

I concur with Senator Humphreys on the licence fee. I have often said that we need to overhaul radically how we collect the money. The idea of a licence inspector going around checking if people have televisions in their homes to get the money out of them must be a thing of the past. It must be radically reformed so that we charge at the source, through Internet providers or by some such method, so that this money can go to the Government. All of those efforts and resources should not be expended in trying to collect moneys, something that could be done in a much more streamlined way.

I join Senator Leyden in his comments on the incident in Strasbourg. I was lucky to spend some time on the Council of Europe and spent many a day in Strasbourg. It is a beautiful city. It is a joyous event and a very quiet, peaceful place. It is very sad to see that happen in Strasbourg. My thoughts go to the families of those who have been killed.