Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ryan raised the issue of electronic voting. I will take up his point regarding a debate on the OECD report on higher education. While I am sure Senator Fitzgerald is correct that a good debate will take place at the Joint Committee on Education and Science, as a Chamber of the Oireachtas, it would be worthwhile for Senators to express their views on the matter in a cogent, well-structured debate on higher education. I believe the OECD would welcome such a debate. Although it may have been a little high-handed not to have had such an opportunity, we will consider the suggestion now that it has been made. Having read the OECD report, I should have considered the possibility of having such a debate, particularly as it seems that all the vested interests have given their opinion on it. We will try to have the debate as soon as possible.

Senator Dardis robustly defended the electronic voting system and made interesting comments on it. As regards the argument that those who favoured electronic voting system two years ago should still support it, the debate has moved to a new level and it is plausible for those, such as Senator Finucane, who previously favoured the system to want to raise questions about it. I believe our voting system will be sorted out in time.

On Senator Ó Murchú's request that I ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to come to the House to discuss voluntary bodies, an opportunity to discuss the issue, albeit in a slightly indirect way, will arise tonight when the House debates a Private Members' motion on the dormant accounts fund, an issue which embraces some of the voluntary bodies.

Referring to electronic voting, Senator Norris stated that voters' confidence is being undermined. He also noted comments made by a senior Sinn Féin figure on a recent radio programme. I also heard the programme and found the politician in question refreshingly candid. Senator White called for an urgent debate on human rights and provided an update on the current position of a prisoner in a Colombian jail.

Senator Bannon referred to the possibility that people will be encouraged to play lotto on mobile telephones. I shuddered at the thought because it will make it very easy to play the game. The question arises, however, as to when one should play nanny and when one should give people rights.

Senator Ormonde indicated that she would welcome a debate on higher education. Senator Bradford noted the statement by Hugh Orde concerning the large number of unsolved crimes and asked whether a truth and reconciliation commission should be established to give people an opportunity to address these issues.

Senator Fitzgerald called for a debate on higher education and referred to an interesting article by Garret FitzGerald in The Irish Times. The former Taoiseach has reached the point where his views are read and listened to objectively. He is regarded as a man of wisdom to whom we listen and whom we commend or not, as the case may be. He is a place apart, so to speak.

Senator McCarthy also called for a debate on electronic voting, while Senator Kitt pointed out the mishaps which occur under the current voting system. I remember an occasion some years ago when 38 unfranked votes, which is a considerable number, were found in a ballot box in a voting station. At any rate, I was still elected.