On four occasions since we returned from the summer recess, I have asked for a debate on water services. The Leader was kind enough to arrange the debate yesterday and the Minister came to the House to take what was to have been a two and a half hour debate. Many of us had developed a series of questions and put time and effort into preparing for yesterday's important debate. Those of us in opposition and many on the Government side had called for the debate but only four Senators had an opportunity to make a contribution, which is appalling. The blame partly lies with the fact we adjourned the Seanad for so long, but the primary responsibility must lie with the Senator who was disruptive, childish and irresponsible-----

Hear, hear.

-----and prevented us having the debate we should have had.

We will not discuss yesterday's business today. Questions to the Leader.

I do not intend to draw upon the Seanad a response from the Senator in question so I will leave it at that.

We need to reconvene the debate. I accept the Minister came to the House, spent time with us and made an open statement, but we did not have an opportunity to question him. It is not the fault of the Leader and it is not my fault, but we need to have another debate. Everybody accepts there is huge frustration and anger. We can disagree on many aspects of water services but we should at least have a respectful debate in the House and be in a position to question a Minister.

There seems to be agreement, at least on the face of it, on the issue of public ownership of water. I cannot understand for the life of me why the political system as an entity cannot agree on how best to proceed on the issue. I commend the Labour Party on supporting the motion tabled yesterday. Next week, Sinn Féin will table a constitutional amendment Bill in the Oireachtas. I do not know whether the Government will support it. Whatever about the Bill, surely it is within the ability of all of the political parties to come up with a framework to protect the future of our water services. This is a question I would have put to the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, yesterday. I respectfully ask the Leader to reconvene the debate in the coming weeks because our questions have not gone away and will need to be answered.

With regard to yesterday's debate, an intern from the US is working in my office at present. His response to yesterday was to ask whether it was the normal way we carry on business in the House.

We are not discussing yesterday's business today.

It was wrong it occurred. It sent out the wrong message not only to the Irish people, but also to people abroad. I ask that it never occur again during the lifetime of this Seanad.