The Leader will know I have some interest in the position of the President. I understand the Government is going to hold referenda later this year to tidy up the Constitution. One of the places that it might consider tidying up is the nominations for President. It is held among the political parties. This makes it very difficult for any citizen of the State to successfully seek a nomination. I am not talking, of course, about myself because I will have no problem doing that. I am talking about future elections.

Be quiet over there in Fianna Fáil. You are a gutless shower who pulled out of it last week.

Do not give me any of that.

This is very unpresidential.

He has to tie down his Council of State now-----

Careful now, careful now-----

I think Senator Craughwell is overconfident.

May I continue? The Senator will not be on the Council of State if he is not quiet.

With all due respects, the Senator invited comment.

I will confine my-----

By way of clarification, most Senators have an interest in the President but not too many of us want to run for office. I am happy where I am.

What I am talking about is extending the nomination process in order that there is an alternative route outside of the political system. It is something that we might have a debate on with the relevant Minister after the summer break. I am sure whoever is sitting in my seat will not mind taking up the issue on my behalf.

Last night we had what can only be regarded as a disgusting shambles. A Bill was brought before the House and we understand from those who oversee these things that there is difficulty with it. Somebody was shouting about Ireland being independent and all of that. Is this Bill likely to end up before the European Court of Justice at some stage?

I hope so.

What happened last night was outrageous. It is even more outrageous that we are going to try to drive on. I said it was the Minister's Bill, but it is the Leader's Government that will face the wrath of history for what it is trying to do here. It really needs to step back and look at what is going on around it. No support is worth that price, that it would sell its soul.