Bloody Sunday debate date
The Chair confirmed the Bloody Sunday amendment and the Leader offered a debate on Wednesday 27 March with Minister Coveney. Senator Conway-Walsh accepted on that basis, sought assurance about who would attend, and then withdrew the amendment.
Go raibh maith agat féin.
Senator Ardagh proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That Report and Final Stages of the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017 will not be taken today." Is that agreed? Agreed. The Leader said there will be a debate on it the week after next.
Senator Conway-Walsh proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on the prosecution decision in relation to Bloody Sunday be taken today." Is she pressing the amendment or will she accept what the Leader said that there will be a debate the week after next?
Comment on this
We will agree to it on the basis that we have agreed a specific date, that is, 27 March. We would ask that sufficient time be allowed to debate and discuss this properly. It is hugely important the Dublin Government does not leave the people in the North behind, as it has promised, and certainly to not leave the people of Derry behind.
Comment on this
I am very conscious of that. I do not want to divide the House on a very important issue. The Minister's office has come back with the date of Wednesday, 27 March at 4 p.m. At the group meeting, we can discuss the amount of time Senators require and I will be happy to work with all Senators on that.
Comment on this
Will it be the Minister, Deputy Coveney, or the Taoiseach and nobody else?
Comment on this
I have put in a request to the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and his office has come back to say he will take the debate. I am not in charge of his diary but will work-----