Movement on the case of dismissed Garda Supt William Geary might be imminent, the House heard.
Calling for a report on what progress had been made on the issue, Mr Rory Kiely (FF) said it seemed there had been an injustice.
Backing his party colleague's call for an updated report, Mr Jim Walsh said he had met Mr Geary in New York on St Patrick's Day. "I think one would have to be impressed when you meet the man, with his forthrightness. It would be most unusual that somebody would be protesting their innocence 70 years later unless, in fact, there were very good and proper grounds for it. I have taken the matter up with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and I would like to think that perhaps this House would lend its support to ensuring that a man of 100 years of age would be able to return to Ireland again."
Responding, the leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said he had spoken on Wednesday last with the Attorney General, who had had a look at the files and had passed his views back to the Minister for Justice. Mr O'Donoghue was preoccupied with the Northern talks. "I would expect that there will be movement on the files as soon as the Minister returns to his Department after the Northern Ireland talks," added Mr Cassidy.
Dr Mary Henry (Ind) said that while An Post was an independent company, she would suggest the Minister for the Environment should do something about the desecration of pillar boxes in Dublin. She believed it was only the overused ones that were being replaced, but it appeared that perfectly good, though ancient, pillar boxes were being replaced by plastic ones which would no doubt be knocked down easily by vandals.
The street furniture of Dublin was very important, said Dr Henry. It was a great pity to see what was happening at the moment.
Joining in Dr Henry's concerns, Mr David Norris (Ind) said he was at a loss to understand why 14 mature and beautiful trees had been cut down in O'Connell Street earlier this week. Then it had suddenly struck him: this was due to the works for the installation of the Millennium spike. Inquiries should be made as to why these trees had to be destroyed in the heart of the capital, he suggested.
The leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said massive and badly needed developments were taking place in the city centre.
Mr Labhras O Murchu (FF) complained strongly about the latest television advertising campaign by the McDonald's restaurant chain. It was an insult to the memory of the famed writer and storyteller, Peig Sayers, to her family and to all who had appreciated the artistic contribution she had made to the life of the nation, which was internationally recognised, he maintained. "I can only suggest that it is the product of a sick mind. No right-thinking Irish person should accept it."
Mr Camillus Glynn (FF) said the publicity campaign was an absolute abomination. It was an outrageous treatment of one of our greatest writers by McDonald's. The leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said he would convey the senator's views to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands as a matter of urgency.
Condolences were offered by all party leaders in the House to the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, and his wife Mary, on the death of their infant son.
The Leader of the House, Mr Donie Cassidy, said the hearts of all the members went out to the Minister and his wife on their tragic loss. The Fine Gael Seanad Leader, Mr Maurice Manning, joined in the expressions of sympathy. Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind), general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, said the news was shocking: a little over a month ago the Minister had been delighted over the arrival of the baby. The birth had been premature, but everything had seemed to be going all right. The Minister had the sympathy of everyone involved in the field of education.
Ms Helen Keogh (PD) said she wished to express sincere condolences on behalf of herself and her party to the Minister and his wife on their tragic loss. "I find it very difficult to speak about such a matter," Ms Keogh added."