Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

He spoke about staff problems but there is no need for additional local authority responsibility in this matter because the Minister is providing the guidelines. A change of heart is needed in the minds of many of those officials, but that will be much harder to bring about because they have become the new kings of the counties.

Senator McCarthy rightly deplored the use of psychiatric illnesses to promote particular products in advertising. That is just appalling. Imagine if one suffered from such an illness to see it portrayed as promoting a positive aspect of a product.

The Senator referred to county development plans. They will vary but local authorities should not wait. For example, Westmeath County Council will not adopt a new county development plan for another three years and officials will try to wait until the next plan is agreed. Local authorities adopt such plans at different times but the officials will have their way in the intervening period. The Senator believes they should be updated immediately to encompass the take-up of one-off rural housing.

Senator Feighan exhibited great passion about the issue of Leitrim farmers.

Senator Tuffy also referred to one–off rural housing and validly pointed out that parts of County Dublin are affected by this decision in terms of infill housing, which is the Dublin equivalent of one-off rural housing. Her observation was valuable.

Senator John Paul Phelan raised the issues of Leitrim farmers, special needs in education and tax breaks for amateur sports people. If the Government goes down that route, the word "amateur" will be taken out of amateur sport and the gloss will be taken off.

Senator Feeney referred to the women's rugby trip and the lack of tickets for the senior international match at Twickenham. We debated the Portmarnock golf club issue recently.