Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise two issues of national importance which will have an impact on rural communities. First, will the Leader contact the director of the RTE Authority regarding its coverage of the story involving variant CJD. Unfortunately, the first case of a human contracting the disease in this country has been confirmed. RTE appears to be hell bent on doing maximum damage to the agricultural sector, particularly the beef industry, by showing the famous footage of the mad cow on its evening news programme which goes out at dinner time. Such animals never enter the food chain. Will the Leader call for greater sensitivity on the part of RTE in respect of the beef industry?

My second point relates to rural Garda stations. Will the Leader ask the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to explain why the pilot project in respect of eight stations in Limerick and Tipperary is not proceeding? Despite significant involvement of consultants and the putting forward of a private solution in respect of the difficulties relating to this matter, the project has collapsed because it is not attractive. The same difficulties exist in respect of 100 Garda stations in other rural areas. Will the Leader invite the Minister of State to come before the House to outline how he proposes to deal with this matter, which is another clear indication of the effect of lack of planning and bad Government decisions on rural communities?