This is something of a valedictory address from me at the start of the Seanad week.

Nothing unusual.

It might be a case of being forgotten but not gone because Senator Norris will take over as group leader from 1 June for two years. Given that the Constitution prescribes that the Dáil could sit for up to seven years after a general election, I have not given up hope of a return. However, I wish Senator Norris well over the next two years.

Perhaps the Leader would agree with me that the question with regard to the Minister, Deputy Shatter, would appear to be as follows. Who waved whom on - who did the waving? Did the garda wave him on or did he wave the garda on?

The Senator is making this up.

The details of the latest claims are sketchy and it appears to be one person's word against the other's. There is the possibility of arrogance sometimes among elected representatives and I would be very concerned if that led to arrogance when people got into power.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I was going to say I used to be arrogant but now I am perfect. The issue remains what happened to Deputy Wallace. I continue to find it very troubling that a casual caution, so to speak, found its way up through the ranks of the Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner sought to make that comment - whether it be tittle-tattle or otherwise - to the Minister for Justice and Equality and that the Minister for Justice and Equality had the appalling judgment then to use it in a public debate. Being Minister for Justice and Equality is one of those sensitive Ministries that calls for-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

----- extra responsibility on the part of-----

Is the Senator looking for a debate on the issue?

I would be very happy to have a debate on the issue. Does the Leader believe it might be appropriate for the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to say just a little bit more -----

Or the Senator could say a little bit less.