Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator made the point that consumer law applies here as well as in the UK, and that any misdemeanours should be followed up here, which I hope will be the case.

Senator Mooney asked for a debate on the crisis point under-age drinking has reached. Senator Ulick Burke referred to the Disability Bill, about which he is correct. It was withdrawn almost three years ago and produced again. As it was being processed, it was worked through with a consultative group. It appeared to be progressing satisfactorily when suddenly the temperature changed. The Senator also spoke of the family in Meath, by which we were all touched. To have four offspring who suffer from autism is a huge burden for any family. The Senator said the family should be visited by someone who can give them direct help.

Senator Scanlon referred to the western rail corridor, which is of great interest to him and his neighbourhood. Senator Norris referred to an Army pensioner whom I heard speaking very positively about the Senator on Joe Duffy's "Liveline". He said the Senator is a wonderful person who replied to his letter and so on. The Senator raised the question of a pension anomaly of a long-serving Army man. He also referred to Intel. He said that the company is not competing against an accession country or any country already in Europe, but that it was competing with the wider world, which is a fair point. Intel has assured the public, particularly the public in Leixlip, that it will continue with its investment.

Senator Dooley raised the issue of the western rail corridor. Senator Bannon raised the matter of the helpline. He called for the Minister for Health and Children to come to this House to debate the matter. He is seeking a league table on the behaviour of officials, not members, of local authorities. That is quite daring but it would be very good if it happened.

Senator Leyden also spoke on this issue. He must have some great alchemy which allows him to get through, which he did. He laid his experience before us, which is fair enough. He called for the Tánaiste to come to the House to debate the matter.

Senator Ross asked for a debate on Intel and the RTE licence fee, which it is said has no competitive element. Senator Walsh asked for a debate on the national pensions reserve fund and the Barron report. It is alleged that the British Government has failed to come forward with evidence which would help the compilation of the report. The Taoiseach's office is to come back to me on the matter.

Senator Bradford referred to the issue of illegal immigrants in the US and asked what can be done about it following the meeting yesterday. He also referred to a certain airline and said that we should become a cheer group for it. The Senator can count me out of the chorus line.

Senator Tuffy raised the issue of the Labour Party proposal to take a percentage of the national pensions reserve fund for infrastructural projects. The fund was the idea of the former Minister for Finance, Mr. McCreevy.

Senator Feighan welcomed the Taoiseach's support for the western rail corridor. He also referred to under-age drinking and the Barnardos pledge. I did not sign that pledge because one could be attending a meeting in a pub and have a glass of water in one's hand. How can one say one would never be photographed in a pub with a glass in one's hand?