The vast majority of Members who spoke welcomed the Taoiseach's apology last night. For anyone in the House last night who was listening it was a rather emotional debate, there is no question about it. The sincerity and compassion of all speakers was clearly evident.

It is true.

To see first of all the ladies from the Magdalen laundries stand and applaud the Taoiseach after his speech and then all Members, including the Ceann Comhairle, stand and applaud these women was a sight to behold. Anyone present could not but have been touched by the emotion in that House yesterday evening.

We are all keen to see a proper system of redress for the ladies of the Magdalen. The fact that Mr. Justice Quirke has been appointed to consider a proper scheme and report within three months indicates that we will have action on this matter soon. We all agree that it was something that should have been acted upon many years ago but was not. Now that it has been and that the apology has been given I hope the redress for those wonderful ladies will materialise fairly soon.

Senator O'Brien asked about the Garda and highlighted that there were no Garda vehicles in a particular area. Some 203 extra vehicles were provided last year and €5 million extra was provided this year for the purchase of vehicles for An Garda Síochána. The matter raised by Senator O'Brien is unacceptable and I hope that funding will address the matter of the availability of vehicles. This Government totally respects and values gardaí and values the services of all involved, not alone in the Garda but in all services, including ambulance men, nurses and everyone else. That is why we are looking for the fairest possible deal under Croke Park for all public services. The first five weeks of the talks have taken place and they did not concern people on the front line. They were about the pay and conditions of other members in the public service, including people on large salaries and their pensions. These issues have been mentioned as well and will have to be addressed and will be addressed but, ultimately, we must have the fairest system for all public servants.

Senator O'Brien raised a matter on the Order of Business some weeks ago which I brought to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Senator suggested that there was a directive from the Dublin joint policing committee to the effect that in some way burglaries would be overlooked and that a lenient sentence would be given to those involved. I have a reply from the Minister on the matter and I will put it on the record of the House:

I refer to your letter of 5 February 2013 concerning a matter raised on the Order of Business suggesting that a directive had issued to the courts on the matter of sentencing in burglary cases. As you might observe, this is not a matter in which I or my Department would involve itself. The Dublin City Council central area policing sub-committee wrote to me on the matter and has been informed that no such directive has issued nor could issue. As you are aware, the position is that judges are independent in the matter of sentencing as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law and neither I as Minister nor my Department could issue any such directive in this regard.

I hope that clarifies the matter raised by the Senator.

It does. I thank the Leader.

Senator Bacik raised the question of the Mangan report as did Senator O'Brien. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, will be here to speak on the Mangan report next week.

Senator Leyden raised the issue of redress and I have referred to the appointment of Mr. Justice Quirke in this regard.

I will be accepting Senator Colm Burke's amendment to the Order of Business that his Bill be published and No. 10 be taken before No. 1.

Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Michael Mullins and Mary Moran spoke about the direct provision system and recommended that it be scrutinised further. I agree it is a system that should be investigated more closely because the fact that €650 million has been spent on private companies gives cause for concern. It has been acknowledged by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh that the asylum system and the processing of claims have improved significantly since the Minister for Justice and Equality took office and they will be improved still further, if possible. Waiting times have decreased significantly.

Senator Aideen Hayden spoke about the need for a national investigation unit to be established. I will raise this matter with the Minister.

Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú spoke about Marian Price. The Taoiseach has agreed to raise the matter with the British Prime Minister. I am sure he is aware of the timescale involved and that he will raise it prior to the review due to take place in a fortnight's time. I appreciate the Senator's comments. More certainly needs to be done. The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is working hard on many of the issues raised by the Senator.

I have addressed the issues raised by Senators John Whelan and John Kelly. I appreciate the concerns of front-line workers. What we all want is a fair settlement for all workers in the public service. As has been pointed out by Senator John Gilroy, there were significant reductions of up to 17% in the wages of public servants several years ago.

Senator Paul Coghlan spoke about Dingle and road signs. I am glad that people will again be able to find their way around County Kerry.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson thanked the Fianna Fáil leader for apologising for spending 14 years doing nothing.