Senator Darragh O'Brien asked for the Minister for Children, Deputy Fitzgerald, to attend the Seanad next week to deal with the aftermath of the Supreme Court judgment in the case taken by Mr. Mark McCrystal on the children's referendum. Otherwise, the Senator will oppose every section of business next week.

Yes.

I agree with the Senator that it would be helpful to have the Minister attend, but I cannot accede to it being next week. I immediately sought a response from the Minister during the Order of Business. I am told that the Government is studying the conclusions of the court, but is conscious that the High Court is hearing a petition under the provisions of the Referendum Act 1994. That petition stands adjourned until mid-January in 2013 and the Minister correctly believes that it would be inappropriate to make comment on the case next week.

That is fair. What about January?

The Senator will understand that it would be premature to have the Minister attend. I have not read the judgment and would like an opportunity to study it, as would other colleagues. If relevant matters are still before the courts, it is more appropriate to have the Minister attend afterwards.

I agree.

Indeed, I have given a commitment, as has the Leader, to arrange for the Minister to attend for a full post-children's referendum debate. It would be a good time to have a discussion on the judgment, a matter in which all of us are interested. The Senator will appreciate my response.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also raised the issue of the Social Welfare Bill, which will be before the House for three days next week. The Minister will attend for extensive periods over those days and we will have a good opportunity to debate the issues in the Bill. Other Senators also raised issues about the Bill. We will deal with those then.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the comments yesterday by the former Director of Corporate Enforcement, Mr. Paul Appleby. All Senators would do well to take note of his remarks, in which he commented adversely on the lack of prosecutions that have been taken against people in respect of banking failures. We should debate banking in the new year.

Senator van Turnhout welcomed the announcement of the missing children's hotline. I agree that it is positive to see it in place, even if it is only for 18 hours per day currently. It will move to 24 hours per day in March. We all note that the motion on youth work will be before the House tonight.

Senator van Turnhout also asked about All Stages of the vetting bureau Bill. The Minister attended the House until 8 p.m. yesterday.

I understand he will return for the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill. There are only 12 amendments and we will see how the debate goes today. Senator Norris read a letter and I am not sure if a response is required or necessary. I could not quite follow it but I thank the Senator for his eloquence.