Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The leader of Fine Gael acknowledged this morning that there has always been an element of contribution from those who can afford it.

Senator Brian Hayes also spoke about the issue of knives, which as he said was raised yesterday by Senator Ó Murchú. He argued that there is a need for a debate on the matter and I hope it can be held early in the new year. I agree with Senator Hayes that we need to act slowly on the nursing home issue.

Senator O'Toole mentioned that one has to carry one's driving licence when driving a car. He called on me to ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether credit card size driving licences can be introduced, ahead of the inauguration of the common European driving licence. He also spoke about the AIB report, in the context of the sale of the NIB.

Senator Ryan raised the issue of judicial judgments, which I do not want to discuss in this House, which is a legislative forum. He also cited his retrospective reason for leaving the committee on Seanad reform, but he knows well that the reason he has mentioned today is not the reason he left.