Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Phelan also raised the issue of driver education, which we should tackle.

Senator Bohan raised the matter of the 13% rate proposed by the ESB and asked that the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, should come to the House to discuss that matter and the price differential he highlighted, which the ESB has in hand, so to speak, and therefore it should not lead to any higher prices.

Senator Tuffy did not agree with Senator Norris on his call for a debate on the Middle East in the absence of a Minister. I expressed the same view as Senator Tuffy, that such a discussion in the absence of a Minister would be a pointless exercise.

Senator Jim Walsh commented on the relatively peaceful marching season in the North. He also raised the issue of the high legal fees paid to tribunal lawyers. The Taoiseach said this module would not be affected in that respect but that future modules would stand to be addressed with regard to diminution of fees. The Senator also raised the issue of the long hours worked by junior doctors. That will have to be rectified.

Senator Bradford called for a further debate on decentralisation and for a debate on Tibet.