Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The report has been approved by the Senator's spokesman. He will get a chance to debate it. I note the Senator wants a widening of the universities' electorate, but in the referendum of 1979, some 25 years ago, the people voted for that but it was never enacted in legislation. I hope that a quarter of a century later the report supports the will of the people.

Senator McHugh raised the depopulation of rural areas and how broadband technology would provide services no longer available because of the closure of post offices. Post offices could use the broadband and make it available to people. Senator John Paul Phelan agreed with Senator McHugh on this point, but he also requested a debate on CAP reform, to which I am sure the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Walsh, will agree.

I agree with Senator Glynn that people must use the local rural post office in order to retain it. People now have cars to travel to towns and elsewhere and they do not have the same reliance on small rural post offices that they had previously. However, if people want to retain local post offices, they should use them.

Senator Feighan requested a debate on gambling. I agree with Senator Maurice Hayes that the issue of immigration deserves to be thoroughly debated. Senator Ryan requested a debate on citizenship.

I agree with Senator Ulick Burke that post leaving certificate courses are the first rung on the ladder for those who wish to progress to third level education. Certification from an appropriate course will give an exemption from the first year in a college or institute. I am sure that the teacher allocations will be strengthened as time goes on. It might be a minor curbing but as numbers increase, the needs will be met.

There will be one minute's silence at 12 noon.