Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

I am prepared to defer the motion on placenames tonight although I know my colleagues, including Senator Ó Murchú, will have done much preparation. On the issue of the Irish language we have a set a non-political precedent in this House because both sides believe it is too important to be used as a political football. This debate is not just about placenames, it is about the Irish people's connection with landscapes and the anglicising of placenames and how we try to bring them back. There are other issues that must be brought into the debate, be it the Dingle issue regarding the branding of the tourism product or other issues in which local people must be involved. It is a debate for another time.

A recent report has highlighted that a cost benefit analysis on a proposed cross-Border gas pipeline between Derry and Letterkenny has proved negative. Of course a cost benefit analysis would show red. That is the reason there are no cross-Border structure subventions under the peace and reconciliation fund, the International Fund for Ireland or INTERREG. Moneys are available to enable the Government provide funding to the north west.

Senator Coonan referred to BreastCheck cancer services for women in the north west. This service is based on a cost benefit analysis but it should not be. The people in the north west pay the exact same taxes as people in other parts of the country and we should not be discriminated against. The provision of a service should not be based solely on economic reports based on mathematics. People are far more important.