Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Quinn asked when the auditing and accountancy Bill would come before the House. We shall have it either the last week of the session or the first week of next session, depending on the availability of the Minister. It is an important Bill. The Senator's colleague, Senator O'Toole, chaired an expert committee which laid the foundations for the Bill. The Competition Authority report, the Indecon consultants report and an EU report will be published this week.

In regard to the matter raised by Senator Ulick Burke, the Minister for Social and Community Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, will be present later today and the Senator may wish to raise it with her. It concerns a postgraduate course in regard to which a lady from UCG, Professor Fitzpatrick, is very active. The finance for education is being taken away from postgraduate students, a matter we should raise with the Minister.

Senator Finucane sought a debate on neutrality. Such a debate would be worthwhile. I was interested in Professor Ronan Fanning's article in the Sunday Independent. When one read it, it made much sense with its historical analogies.

Senator Brennan raised the issue of house prices which increase from the day the first payment is put down on a starter home to the day the final bill is paid. Given that the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, will be present in the House shortly, the Senator may wish to raise the matter with him.