Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Ó Murchú's call for a debate on the Traveller community before the summer recess. I am afraid that racism might arise. Two very good Traveller friends of mine live a very difficult life, one which I could not endure. An editorial in The Irish Times today said that if local authorities have not addressed the housing issue of Travellers who want to be settled, it should be given to another authority.

I was very proud at the weekend of the summit backdrop formed by Dromoland Castle. The front page of yesterday's edition of The New York Times had a picture of the Taoiseach leading us very proudly there. I am also proud of the protestors and of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, the civil servants and the Minister of State, Deputy Roche.

Last night I woke up wondering why anyone would worry about President Bush being seen in his vest at the window of his hotel when 850 Americans have been killed in Iraq along with 17,000 Iraqis, while 23,000 US members of the military have been sent home. Why should we worry about President Bush in his vest at the hotel window?