Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The academic qualifications which Senator Norris said could be obtained without study sound amazing.

Senator Ormonde called for a debate on An Bord Pleanála to discuss contentious decisions it is making. She asked that the debate take place before the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government concludes his study of the issue.

Senator Finucane referred to the security measures of UK banks. He said we should ask financial institutions here to make decisions on the matter quickly. Senator Glynn referred to the spiking of drinks in discos and asked that mandatory sentencing be introduced in respect of this crime. Senators Henry and Norris spoke about the bringing forward of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill at short notice. Ms Dorothea Dowling's briefing would be very useful to the Senators. Senator Henry also pointed out that Committee Stages of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill have been delayed inordinately. We hope the maternity legislation will be ready next week.

Senator Terry raised the matter of disturbances at Mountjoy Prison. She asked that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform be invited to speak to the House about the matter and to discuss also the issue of security at the home of Paul Williams. Senator Ross agreed with Senator Norris about the Hanly report and said the right of local people to debate matters which affect their local communities should not be taken away. The Senator said the sum involved in benchmarking was vast and that the public service was a privileged group.

Senator Ulick Burke said the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had engaged consultants to look at secondary and non-national roads and to provide him with a full report on potholes etc. That is a great idea.