Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We are reading about it all the time. The Senator asked that there be unambiguous protection for gardaí who are being attacked in circumstances where they would not have been attacked heretofore.

Senator Quinn raised the metro and the road to Dundalk which, he is correct in saying, is a most magnificent stretch. When we go looking for votes for the EU constitution, we should be pointing up such matters. The New York metro has been in existence for 100 years; I have always made the point that such transport systems have been in major cities such as Paris and Rome for well over 100 years. They have had both underground and overground systems, and we are only beginning to approach that position here.

Senator Ulick Burke mentioned the special needs unit in the Department of Education and Science in Athlone. It is quite some time since I heard a Minister as open and clear as Deputy Hanafin was on special needs assistants last week. I understood from her that the unit in question was overwhelmed with work but that she was seeking a method of cutting through and clearing it. I am sure that that will happen. The Senator is quite correct that it is difficult to get through and that, having got through to the unit, it is difficult to get answers. His point related to the personnel involved but the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, is taking very enlightened steps in that regard.

Senator Bannon wished to bring to the attention of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, issues regarding the roll-over of tax relief, as well as stamp duty relief on land swaps. The Senator knows that it does not apply when one gives land to one's family; he means from one landowner to another. He spoke about the Shannon authority and said that de Valera had said that he was going to drain the river. The Shannon has its own flow, and no number of commissions or authorities will change that, as the studies have shown over the years. However, we will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to see what he has thought up on the matter.

Senator Maurice Hayes requested that the Minister for Education and Science attend the House to debate the university sector. That would be important. If a country is to develop, the third level sector must have its proper place. The Senator also spoke of the change in contract for pharmacists. As he noted, pharmacists in the UK are being given extra powers so that they can to some extent stand in for doctors. Chemists are often a great fount of knowledge and one can get wise advice across the counter rather than sit in a doctor's waiting room.

Senator John Paul Phelan asked that the Minister for Health and Children attend the House to debate health issues. He also called for a debate on housing with reference to elderly single people living in unsuitable housing. It is time for such a debate and we will ask the relevant Minister to attend.

Senator Feighan referred to the downsizing in the numbers of armed gardaí. He has raised this issue previously and warned of the dangers involved. Senator Mooney mentioned the legislation regarding changes in constituencies. That is currently being prepared and we will try to have it initiated in the Seanad. I have a great interest in that legislation. The results may greatly lighten my workload and I would be interested in contributing to the debate. I greatly welcome the report.