I dtosach báire, déanaim comhbhrón le muintir Mhíchíl Uí Mhuircheartaigh. Tá laoch ar lár inniu. Fear mór Gaelach, galánta, a bhí ann agus ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. I think the first time I met Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh was when I was a student of journalism.

He was very kind to me when I was doing a project on the history of the GAA and told me many interesting things. The next occasion we met was here when he addressed the Seanad. He was always interesting and always courteous. He was the epitome of the Irish gentleman of the old style and a man who was universally admired. That is not something that can be said about everybody we encounter in public life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

I ask the Leader if at some point we could have a debate with the relevant Minister about the ongoing controversy about certain books that are available in public libraries. Some of the material involved is highly obscene, inappropriate and certainly not material that should be pushed at children in the 12 to 17 years age bracket. I know that our President and the Fórsa trade union have been critical about protests. Our President referred to books being torn up by vigilantes, attempting to impose a censorship and calling for the protection of libraries and library staff from intimidation and protest. While that might sound reasonable on its own terms, what is unreasonable is that there is no mention by either of those parties of the child protection issues that are involved. Given how dangerous these are, we cannot on the one hand be talking about the worrying attitude of men towards women in our society, the worrying state of the mental health of young people and so on, while at the same time be endorsing or facilitating material that is inappropriate for young people in their personal development being pushed under the guise of helping people's personal development.

In the light of that, while there must be standards to protest, the rudeness of some protesters and the performative tearing up of a book that someone purchased is really beside the point. Our President and Fórsa should first and foremost be talking about the inappropriateness of child inappropriate material being made available-----

Senator, as you are aware-----

-----and then let them talk about protests.

Senator, as you are aware, the President is not to be referred to in the Chamber.

I am not aware of that rule. He is not accountable to us in the Chamber. I am not aware of a rule that he is not to be referred to.

You are not to criticise him.

He is often right, but when he is wrong, he is badly wrong and he should call himself aside on this issue.

Criticism of the President is not appropriate in the Chamber. Are you aware of that rule?

I look forward to seeing that rule in writing, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

We will send it on to you, but you have been made aware of that rule previously.

If I may say so, as I understand it, there is a separation of powers and we respect the separate legitimacy of other roles. However, to say that in the national Parliament nobody can be the subject of critical comment, respectfully delivered, is not a rule that-----

You are aware that that would be a factor with the Judiciary as well.

We would not and should not comment-----

There are limits to what you can do in relation to issues-----

We would not comment on matters that are sub judice, but-----

In relation to-----

If the President gets it wrong, above all, and equal to all citizens and especially in our national Parliament, we are entitled to comment.

Senator, you have been here literally as long as I have been and so you are aware of the rules.

Could you give me the precise rule?

We will send them on to you.

Would you quote it in this House, please, a Leas-Chathaoirligh?

Very good.

There is no point saying it is very well established. If we cannot criticise something that Uachtarán na hÉireann has said, this is not a democracy. When he gets it wrong, he gets it badly wrong. He is admirable in many respects, but-----

The established precedent, of which you are well aware-----

-----his head is in the wrong place on this issue. He is campaigning and he needs to be-----

Senator-----

Child protection comes before the dignity of the Presidency in my book and in many people's books.

Senator, you are well aware of the established rule in relation to the Presidency and this House.

I am aware of the rules and I am very respectful about how I speak about the President, but if he is wrong, he is wrong and he needs to be called out.

Senator, I am glad you have acknowledged you are aware of the rules.

Will I still get something in writing giving the precise wording of the alleged rule?

I am glad that you are aware of the rules.

Will I get in writing the precise wording of the alleged rules?

They are saying you will get it in writing.

I would ask you to observe the rules.

I apologise; I cannot hear with the interruptions.

I am glad that you are aware of the rules and I would ask you to observe them.

Will you send me something in writing specifying the rules?

We will write to you.

There will be further discussion about this in this House, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

This House is about discussion, but I am glad that you are aware of the rules. I just ask you to observe them.