We are hoping for greater numbers as a result of The Gathering.

I join other speakers in welcoming the speeches made in the Lower House last night. It was the Taoiseach's finest hour. We know they were overdue, but they were heartfelt. It is wonderful what is happening.

I join other colleagues in welcoming the Taoiseach's apology on behalf of every one of us to the former residents of the Magdalen laundries. I congratulate him on the sincere, cool and honest way he delivered his contribution. I also congratulate the other speakers, including the leader of my own party, who apologised for doing nothing during the 14 years he was in government.

I support the leader of the Fianna Fáil group, Senator Darragh O'Brien, in again calling on the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into the Chamber to address the very serious difficulties arising in the ranks of An Garda Síochána. I have never witnessed such low morale among the gardaí I meet on a day-to-day basis in my county town and throughout the country. The morale of gardaí is at rock bottom because of the way they are being treated by the Minister. I had occasion to see how he treated members of the Defence Forces in my county and I am not going to allow that to happen to members of An Garda Síochána also.

Let me draw the attention of the Leader to a headline in one of the national newspapers that indicates that one of the major banks, AIB, is proposing to increase interest rates for mortgage holders. On what planet are the bankers living? I ask the Leader to please communicate with the Minister for Finance about the proposed increase which will drive hard-pressed mortgage holders over the cliff. It will be the final straw. AIB is only the stalking horse for the other banks which will also increase their interest rates. The Minister must be asked what he will do about this proposal.

Last night was a very poignant one for the people in the Visitors Gallery and others outside Leinster House who watched the Taoiseach apologise to the women who had spent time in the Magdalen laundries. It was followed by an apology from the Tánaiste and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. The leader of the Fianna Fáil Party, Deputy Micheál Martin, also apologised for doing nothing. Let me repeat what I said last week. It was like a scene from "Waiting for Godot" when nothing happens twice. That was a feature of the previous Administration. Will Deputy Micheál Martin apologise to the hundreds of thousands out of jobs who were victims of the policies he initiated? I give credit to Senators on the other side of the House and others who stood for election who went to doors as Fianna Fáil candidates and received terrible hassle.

Here we go again.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I asked it yesterday.

There is no need to ask it again today. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Perhaps he did not hear me yesterday.

Nothing happens twice

Thank you, Senator. Will the debate on the Magdalen laundries include a visit from Deputy Micheál Martin to explain-----

I am sure he would be delighted to come into the House if he was invited.

I am sure he would not be so delighted.

I am sure he would be.

We should extend the invitation to his former Cabinet colleagues who did not have the guts to stand for election, unlike my colleague opposite.

A question for the Leader, please.

I will ask the same question that I asked yesterday and will ask it again tomorrow.