Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We believe it is wonderful. It is great to blow one's own trumpet occasionally. The Senator also spoke about the credit card-sized driving licence incorporating the organ donor card. I will inquire about this.

Senator Tuffy spoke about the pictures from Iraq, which are terrible. We are endeavouring to have a debate. Different aspects of this matter have been raised today, including the need for the UN to have a debate. Such a debate could start at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Senator Ormonde said the pictures were awful. However, this is the only way we can know what is happening. While I know it is almost pornographic as they are so frightful, without them we would not know what is happening. These pictures have the power to affront.

Senator Finucane referred to Mr. Donald Rumsfeld and the avowal of support which he received from President Bush. While that was an internal US matter, it was sick-making to witness. Senator Minihan raised an interesting point. I agree there must be a public and official disapproval and disavowal of what is happening in Iraq. It is odd that there is not a united voice of disapproval around the country. It would be very helpful if there were. As Senator Minihan says, the events at Abu Ghraib detract strongly from the professionalism of the soldiers serving in Iraq. Senator Norris was correct to assert that the USA is contracting out torture. That is exactly what is being done. It is difficult to imagine that one could privatise torture.

Senator Norris also raised the matter of the shared home investment plans which I have raised myself. I received verbal communication from one of the auctioneering firms which was somewhat involved in the scheme's promotion. It is terrible. People do not seem to understand that this involves one's non-contributory pension being taken from one. While one receives a lump sum into one's hand, given that one cannot know how long one's life will be or how one's circumstances will change, the scheme is quite immoral. The Senator also spoke about the compensation culture and teachers. While I have a sore throat and laryngitis, it is from canvassing rather than the result of what I did in the classroom.