It is not only about such matters.

First, I wish to be associated with the brief tribute paid to the former Deputy Harry Blaney and I express my sympathy to his family and loved ones. I also extend my sympathy to the family and loved ones of the former Deputy and Parliamentary Secretary, Dick Barry. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the funeral of the former President, Mr. Patrick Hillery. I hope there will be an opportunity to pay tribute to him. He was certainly a gentleman. He told me some very interesting things about his early days in Leinster House.

I also wish to be associated with what my cousin, Senator Michael Mullins, said last week about the costs associated with the treatment of patients who have alcohol-related problems in Galway, with over €22 million having been spent in the past five years in Galway hospitals and 35,000 bed days having been occupied. Considering how much time we spend talking about saving money, can we not get smart for the future and tackle the problem of alcohol abuse in this country with more aggression? My parishioner Joseph Treacy of the Irish Psychiatric Nurses Association, or should I say my fellow parishioner-----

The Senator will be known as "monsignor".

I knew Senator Norris would be onto that.

It confirms my suspicions, Monsignor Mullen.

Mr. Treacy comes from a family that has made a great contribution to cultural life. His brother Philip is extremely well known. I must confess a church connection because I sang in the church choir with him at one time. Joseph Treacy has spoken critically about the availability and marketing of alcohol and how it is the slickest campaign we have ever seen. We must respond with particular measures to discourage the abuse of alcohol in our society, and not delay about it.

I understand the Cabinet meeting has adjourned. I do not know if that is just for the optics, but I wish to pay particular tribute to my fellow Galwegians, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames and Deputy Brian Walsh. They have spoken clearly-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I renew my request to the Leader that we not just have a debate on this when the legislation eventually comes to the House. It is not a good idea that whatever the Government proposes to introduce in the draft heads of a Bill would be developed and discussed at the health committee first. There is an unequal relationship between Deputies and Senators in that committee. This is a life and death issue which should be discussed at the heads of a Bill stage in each House. Senator Healy Eames and Deputy Brian Walsh have laid bare the fiction that this is about necessary medical or life-saving treatment. All of that is just spin. This is about a dangerous and destructive proposal to introduce abortion on a ground of threatened suicide for which there is no medical evidence.

Last week we heard from more than 100 psychiatrists, representing 90% of those who responded, who are deeply concerned about the way their profession would be compromised by being drawn into something that is not evidence-based.

The Senator is over time.

The Taoiseach needs to give leadership. Even at this stage the issue needs to be stalled, not just adjourned until 5.30 p.m., until we can have a proper discussion about what constitutes a genuine, necessary medical intervention - which we would all support - and something that is really just a fiction masquerading as medical treatment designed to introduce abortion into Ireland.