Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support the Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, and others who have raised the issue of transport for the State Pathologist, Dr. Marie Cassidy. I listened to the radio interview yesterday. She is a tremendous official and shows great spirit while carrying out a very difficult job in difficult circumstances. I was really shocked to hear that she has to drive herself all over the country. At any time of the night she may receive a telephone call and must respond quickly. I urge the Leader to ask the Minister to act quickly in this regard and ensure that she be given every assistance to carry out her job in the best possible fashion. Providing her with transport or a driver would make that job a little easier.

Senator Ryan mentioned that we had raised the issue of the EU directive on divorce in this House before. I asked for a debate on it at that time, but we have not yet had that. It is a very important issue, and I am glad the Senator has raised it once again this morning. It flies in the face of what the people of this country decided regarding our rules on divorce, namely, that a couple must have been living apart for four of the previous five years in order to obtain one. Now, if one half of a couple is living abroad or has had an address abroad for a year, that person may seek a divorce.

A related issue is the custody of children, which is also to be decided in a manner contrary to our rules. It is of extreme concern to many parents, particularly where one separated parent may be a foreign national now living abroad. Such a person may now seek custody of children from this country. The issue must be debated as quickly as possible. I ask the Leader to organise that debate.