Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator McHugh for those tasks he gave me.

Senator Brian Hayes correctly demanded time to discuss the spatial strategy. He also requested that as a result of the debate last night, which was very constructive, we should ask the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, to come to the House to discuss how other European countries could be galvanised to draw up a coherent plan to help deal with the burgeoning AIDS epidemic.

Senator O'Toole talked about fisheries. While a message of support was sent from the Seanad yesterday to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, the Senator correctly called for a debate on the matter. He also called for a debate on the spatial strategy this afternoon. While we would all like that I have not spoken to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to ascertain if he would free to come to this House this afternoon. I am sure we will have votes and pass motions, but this request has now been sprung on me. I do not know if the Minister will free or if many of the rural Senators, who are greatly exercised about this issue, will be in the House. It is easy to demand, but whether the Minister will be available to come to the House is another matter.