Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator also requested that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment should come before the House.

Senator Phelan referred to electronic voting and the cash crisis in third level education.

Senator Coghlan spoke about the bravery of the young gardaí mentioned and raised the issues of motor tax and the fishing industry. He could not come from County Kerry and not raise the latter point, and he is right. However, one need not come from a coastal regions to raise it. Our spokesperson on the fishing industry, Senator Kenneally, also brought the matter up and spoke strongly, but those of us who come from midlands counties like Senator Dardis and I know quite well that if it badly affects the fishing industry, it affects us all badly. We, therefore, share his concerns.

Senator Cummins raised the back-to-work and community employment schemes and made a stirring defence of all such schemes. If money is tight, the effort is to preserve and give it to those who need it most. That is a very sensible option.