I do not know if the Leader saw a totally biased and one-sided article by Kitty Holland which appeared in The Irish Times today. Ms Holland argues for abortion on demand regardless of circumstances and criticises the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution for taking a vote last week recommending repeal of the eighth amendment but not in full. I would argue differently. Ms Holland wants total repeal and full abortion with no regard for the life of the unborn. I regard the article as disgraceful and I am surprised and disappointed that a responsible and respected newspaper such as The Irish Times has allowed such a lack of balance and objectivity.

On a point of order, that is not what Ms Holland says in the article.

Please allow the Senator to continue without interruption.

I read the article and I am giving my interpretation. I hope The Irish Times will act immediately to correct this appalling and outrageous situation.

I am minded to make a ruling on this issue. A committee has been established and to the best of my knowledge it is all-party. It is not appropriate to raise similar issues in the House day in and day out. I will consider the matter. I may decide that, while the committee is sitting, ably chaired by one of our colleagues, and until it completes its report, Senators should not debate or comment on the issue in the House. We should have the common sense to allow the committee members, whichever side they are on, to do their work. Perhaps the House can have a debate when the report has been completed. I will inform Senators of my decision tomorrow. As someone who has chaired a number of committees in my time, I regard it as inappropriate for comments to be made in the House on a committee that is actively doing a certain job. It is wrong that some people are trying to take two bites of the cherry.