There is still no other business to be discussed. The Deputy Leader could not find a Minister to take any other business.

The Deputy Leader to continue, without interruption.

I have explained that the Leader's office made every attempt until after 7 p.m. yesterday to find another Minister to come and take other business. My preference was to have a debate on at least one of the reports today, but we simply could not arrange it. When the resignation was announced at 4 p.m. yesterday, it took most people by surprise and it was very difficult to arrange any business. We will have a full schedule next week.

The report of Mr. Seán Guerin will be published tomorrow, which we all welcome. None of us has seen the full text of the 300 page report which I hope we will debate. Senators have sought a debate on it. An independent Garda authority has been announced, which is very welcome; reform of GSOC has also been announced, while the justice committee is conducting an overview of Garda accountability mechanisms. These ongoing matters will be debated in the House.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to the appointment of the new Ministers. I have dealt with Senator Jillian van Turnhout's points about the motions. She also welcomed the new appointments, as did Senator Sean D. Barrett. He also called for a debate on the cost of the Narrow Water bridge project. This matter has been raised by others in the House and we will seek a debate on it. It may be suitable to be raised as a matter on the Adjournment, but I do not know whether the Senator has considered drafting such a motion.

Senator Denis Landy welcomed the terms of reference for the expert panel on EirGrid and called for clarification on when it would finalise its report. This question might be put to the expert panel. I am not clear on it, but we can make an inquiry.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to the energy project in County Kerry and called for an update on it from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Deputy Pat Rabbitte. I will see whether he will come to the House to discuss it. As it is a specific matter, it might be appropriate to table it for discussion on the Adjournment to obtain a speedier response. The Senator also referred to the resignation of the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and the new appointments.

Senator Michael Comiskey also referred to the new appointments and welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, of a capital gains tax exemption for farmers forced to sell their single farm payment entitlements. This is a welcome announcement.

Most importantly, Senator Feargal Quinn asked colleagues to express sympathy to Senator David Norris following his recent surgery and also stated how much we looked forward to having him back and how much we all hoped he would make a full recovery. We all join Senator Feargal Quinn in sending Senator David Norris our best wishes for a full recovery. We all very much look forward to having him back on these benches once more very soon. Senator Susan O'Keeffe also mentioned Senator Jimmy Harte. We are very much thinking of him and also hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Senator John Kelly also referred to EirGrid and the expert panel, as well as to the resignation of the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter.

Senator Kathryn Reilly referred to the supports available to leaving certificate students. The leaving certificate examinations will begin in four weeks. The matter the Senator discussed might be raised with the Minister for Education and Skills. We all join in sending good wishes to leaving certificate students. It is a very stressful time and probably the most stressful examination most of the students will ever sit.

Senator Michael Mullins also mentioned Senator David Norris's recovery. He noted that among the bodies paying tribute to the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, was the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, which is noteworthy. The council referred to the former Minister as having been a radical and reforming Minister who had brought to the role a genuine and deeply knowledgeable understanding of the legal reforms necessary to make Ireland a more equal society. It is a stunning tribute from the council and worth noting. The Senator also referred to the fact that the Taoiseach would open a new motorway in Gort tomorrow.

Senator John Crown referred to the resignation of the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and pointed to the need to improve the treatment of whistleblowers. The Government will bring forth whistleblower protection legislation and will be the first to do so. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has been piloting it through the Houses and colleagues have already made comments on and contributions to it.

Senator John Crown also referred to the HSE and his proposal to bring forward a Private Members' Bill to limit the rights of publicly funded bodies to take defamation or libel cases to the courts.

As a lawyer, I would be very interested in how the legislation could be framed. There would be difficulties in restricting the right of access to the courts. One would have to look at that issue, but I empathise with the Senator's position. It would, however, be an interesting debate to have in the House. I suggest it could be tabled as the subject of a Private Members' motion which would allow us to look at how the legislation could be framed, rather than drafting legislation. That is just a thought.

On a point of information, may I take it that I would have the Deputy Leader's support for such a motion?

I am not saying that for sure. All I am saying is it would be an interesting debate to have.

We will wait to see the wording.

As a lawyer, I could not sign up to anything, the wording of which I have not seen.

Senator Aideen Hayden referred to the resignation of the former Minister for Justice and Equality. She also welcomed the joint campaign being launched today by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Women's Aid entitled, This is not happily every after. It highlights the extent of sexual and domestic abuse in relationships. I join the Senator in saying we should all support the campaign. We have held debates in the House on domestic violence and violence against women. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is finalising a report on domestic and gender-based violence which we might debate in the House when it has been completed. We have held extensive hearings on the matter.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to the former Minister for Justice and Equality. He also welcomed the incoming Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and acknowledged her record on the issue of direct provision. I join him in hoping that, as Minister, she will be very proactive on the issue.

Senator Colm Burke also mentioned the former Minister for Justice and Equality. He also referred to the restriction placed on the Joint Committee on Health and Children owing to 25% of the health budget being diverted to non-Department of Health organisations or organisations directly outside the remit of the committee. It might be best to raise the matter at the committee of chairpersons of committees, between the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts and the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Perhaps this has been done and, in that case, the matter should be taken up with the Minister for Health. It is also something that may change with the abolition of the HSE.