Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator White spoke about the North-South economic corridor and the use of sterling currency in the toll booths. I travelled by train to Belfast recently and met a businessman who told me the non-acceptance of sterling was a real deterrent to using the motorway since one must fish around for change. There ought to be an accommodation for sterling coins.

Like most other Senators, Senator McHugh has a case of so-called illegal immigrants in the US who cannot return for family reasons.

Senator Tuffy referred to the special relationship with local authorities and what her own authority has done is commendable. Different authorities have adopted different ways of keeping in contact. I am now invited to council meetings in regard to finance and so on.

Senator Paddy Burke asked how effective public private partnerships have been. I will try to get the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State to come before the House for a debate on the matter.

Senator Feighan praised his colleague, Senator Leyden, and a Roscommon rapport appears to have been established across the floor.