I join other Members who have expressed sympathy to the family of John Carty. Although I did not work in this House with him, I knew him quite well. He was a great character, as well as being a decent and warm person. I know his family very well and they will all miss him very much. He was a very popular man in County Mayo and although we were on different sides of the fence, he was very encouraging when I ran for the Seanad. May he rest in peace.

As for Senator Sean D. Barrett's comments, while I always admire the Senator for his passion and commitment, they were somewhat unfair to those Members on this side of the House who thought they were in quite a difficult position in advance of and during the referendum. Senator Aideen Hayden is correct and it is what I had intended to say, that Members had voted to put the matter to the people. The fact that it was put to the people has put this House in a stronger position than was the case. I see no reason Members on this side should not be as involved in the reform agenda as those on the opposite side. I would welcome any debate or proposal. It is important to state the issue should be revisited regularly in this House.

On the comments of Senators Sean D. Barrett and Catherine Noone, last night's debate was useful. One part that disappointed me was that Senator Sean D. Barrett did not get a chance to contribute, although he was present all the time. I hope he made up for it this morning in some way.

He will be able to avail of further opportunities.

The aspect I found useful was that Members covered a much wider range of topics than they might otherwise have. In respect of the Leader's contribution, some good ideas came from it. My real difficulty is the length of time it takes to get anything done and, in this case, urgency is required. Something must be done because, as Senator Katherine Zappone mentioned last night, unless there is movement on the issue now, it will probably be delayed for seven years, until the election after next. Consequently, things must be done now. When I mention this frustration about the length of time it takes, I think of Senator Mark Daly and myself and the time we introduced different Bills on organ donation and to provide for an opt-out but nothing has happened. If I remember correctly, my Bill was introduced approximately six years ago but nothing has happened. Senator John Crown has introduced a Bill to ban smoking in cars but nothing has happened. Moreover, I gather he cannot even get an interview with the Minister for Health. The reason I mention the Bill to ban smoking in cars is it was announced in Britain yesterday that a Bill to ban smoking in cars in which children are present was to be introduced. I believe it was introduced to the House of Commons yesterday. It is interesting to note that only yesterday it was announced that California intended to introduce a plastic bag ban and a tax on paper bags. Ireland set the example approximately 15 years ago with the tax on plastic bags, which has worked. It set an example for the rest of the world, some of which is following. However, I simply do not understand the reason it takes so long to get everything done and urge the Leader to move, in particular, on the reform of the Seanad and the suggestions that emerged yesterday, particularly from Senator Katherine Zappone. If Members move on them now, it will be done in time for the next election rather than the election after that.