I will briefly raise two issues. The first concerns the announcement of new terms and conditions for Defence Forces personnel which is due today. I welcome that and hope it will make a start in providing better conditions for our Defence Forces personnel who serve this country so proudly throughout the world.

I would also like to refer to the issue raised by Senator Mullen. I, too, would welcome clarification from the Taoiseach on what he said yesterday. I hope he will state clearly that his comments were not meant to sound as they did. Otherwise, I will completely dissociate myself from them. Criminal acts by priests, politicians, gardaí or any other group need to be weeded out and subjected to the full rigours of the law. It is not acceptable to tar everyone with the same brush. I hope that is not what was meant and I would welcome and expect clarification sooner rather than later.