I join previous Senators and the Leader in paying tribute to former Senator Martin McAleese and wishing him the very best of luck in whatever he chooses to do from now on. In respect of the report on the Magdalen laundries which is being published, we all need time to digest the report and look at the recommendations that will undoubtedly be in it. I very much hope these recommendations are centred on the survivors and their needs and that they get the compensation they need and the recognition they deserve from the State that wrongs were carried out.

I sincerely hope this will be the substance of the report which is being launched. I also hope that in the coming days and weeks the Leader will provide the necessary time to allow Senators to engage in a full and informed debate on the report and its recommendations. We should reserve judgment on this matter until we have an opportunity to read the report.

I refer to the serious issue which has arisen in the food sector. As the Leader who lives in the south east will know, many people are employed in this sector which is of huge significance to the national economy. It is also of major significance to the regional economy of the south east. There is absolutely no doubt that the actions of a small number of rogue processors has undermined confidence in what is the food sector's very valuable and important brand of quality. It is absolutely disgraceful that certain companies have taken particular actions in order to cut costs and have thereby caused untold damage to the food sector. I join the IFA, farmers and all other interested parties in seeking answers in respect of this serious issue. The companies to which I refer were using cheap ingredients from outside Ireland as fillers in burgers in an attempt to cut costs. They did not care about the potential damage they could do to the food sector. I ask the Leader to make time available for a debate on this matter in the House in order that we might discuss the issues to which I refer and the need for tighter regulation and an increased number of inspections in this area. We could also discuss traceability and labelling, action in respect of which many parties and individuals have been seeking for many years. In view of what has happened, it is important that we engage in a debate of this nature in the House as quickly as possible.

I also pay tribute to former Senator Martin McAleese, whose office is across the corridor from mine. During the past two years I have found him to be a generous and genuine individual. It was a pleasure to work with him. The best way in which we might remember Martin McAleese in this House would be by implementing, in full, the recommendations his committee will undoubtedly make. Doing so would allow us to address the serious wrong that was done over many years to the unfortunate citizens of Ireland to which his report relates. We are, as a society, facing a moment of truth with regard to how the "hear no evil, see no evil" syndrome which has bedevilled this country for many decades might finally be unravelled. The best thing society and this House can do is to ensure that the recommendations contained in the former Senator's report are implemented in full. Furthermore, a debate on this matter should take place in the House. I suggest that, perhaps next week or the week after, time be set aside for the House to engage in a consideration of the report and its recommendations. The best way we can pay tribute to Martin McAleese is to have an in-depth discussion on this issue and, as stated, for the Government to implement the recommendations which will undoubtedly be contained in his report.