Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

It is difficult to drink around. If one goes into a pub to have one drink, I imagine one is inclined to stay in the same pub, although I do not drink pints.

Senator Ulick Burke wants the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to come to the House to debate the decline in rural areas. Senator Jim Walsh called for a debate on rural development and the roads programme of the NRA in the south east and the midlands. He also sought a debate on the report which the committee of which he is a member has issued.

Senator Ó Murchú supported a call for the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to come to the House. The Senator contacted me on this and advised me that he understood the Minister was keen to come to the House. I hope we will be able to follow through on that next week. The Senator also wants the Minister, Deputy Cullen, to come to the House to discuss the guidelines on rural housing.