Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Norris said we should stop bellyaching about An Taisce because it is a guardian of our planning rights. He proposed that the House should not take the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004 today because it discriminates against gay spouses. The Senator also called for the motion on Tibet to be taken as quickly as possible.

Senator Ulick Burke referred to the Mental Health Commission and said a total of 3,000 people are involuntarily admitted to mental institutions. A debate on this issue would be worthwhile. The Senator also called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House to discuss the loss of 32,000 manufacturing jobs. However, the unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is a good rate within the European Union. It is a significant plus. Sadly, we are moving on from manufacturing to alternative employment. The strategy is to be ahead of the next trend in employment and to have plans in place to cope with the increased training and education that will be required. I fully agree it is sad to lose manufacturing jobs. I was involved in such issues when I was in the other House. It is extremely sad for men and women who have spent a number of years in one job. However, retraining, upskilling and reskilling is the strategy for now and an unemployment rate of 4.4% represents a fine record.

Senator Henry seconded Senator Norris's amendment, particularly in regard to the treatment of widows and widowers.

Senator Daly raised the current position in Kosovo and called on the Minister for Defence or the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House. It would be useful to raise this issue as an Adjournment matter.

Senator Coghlan referred to statements on the draft guidelines on rural housing, which is still on the Order Paper. We will resume the debate as quickly as possible. He also asked about next week's business. I hope to elucidate on that tomorrow. He has got himself into a nice habit, which is not bad. He usually asks on Thursday what the following week will be like in terms of business. I will outline it, in so far as I can, on the Order of Business.