Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Finucane raised the matter of the loss of SNA jobs. The review in this regard should be concluded and the outcome made known shortly.

Senator Quinn raised the matter of intimidating behaviour displayed to those serving on juries. The Cathaoirleach rightly said this is a matter for the courts.

Senator Cummins raised the matter of job losses in Dungarvan. I know how he must feel about what has happened in his home town. He raised the matter of decentralisation and asked when jobs will be decentralised to that area. He said he hoped there would not be a reneging of the promise of such jobs. I hope not in the case of Dungarvan and the south east. I will endeavour to find out what level of activity that process has reached.

Senator Ross referred to public service pay and asked for a debate on benchmarking before the next agreement is reached. That is a good idea. Senator Mansergh said that between 2001 and 2004, wage increases in the public and private sector were almost on a par, which is not how the matter was reported. If there is to be a reasoned debate it should be factual. I will endeavour to arrange one.

Senator Bannon said he had difficulty accessing the telephone helpline number of the Department of Agriculture and Food. I find all helplines of no use. First, no one answers and, second, when there is an answer one must press approximately 20 buttons before speaking to a person or being asked to telephone again.

Senator John Paul Phelan and Senator Quinn referred to the indigenous sector. Senator Phelan also raised the issues of special needs in education and the IRA attack in Cork.

Senator O'Meara referred to the ESRI report detailing the significant increase in the numbers of women having Caesarean sections. This issue is worthy of debate because it has an impact on the fecundity and health of women. The Senator also asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to ensure that Tristan Dowse receives independent legal representation.

Senator Coghlan wants us to put the SSIAs into pension funds. I repeat what I said previously, that is, it is our money and we will put it where we wish.