Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I am happy to inform the Cathaoirleach and the House that the Minister of State has agreed to attend.

I am sure reference will be made to Daingean and so on at a later date but this change will be put to very good use. I ask the spokespersons on health to please note they will be on duty tonight.

Senator Brian Hayes raised the wider issue, one on which I have also been dwelling, of the tardiness of public administration in foreseeing things which can happen even when highlighted by debates in these Houses or by way of correspondence to newspapers. Account cannot be taken of everything but where significant issues emerge which are clearly damning and where abuse or neglect is the underlying cause, the general lack of response from both public administration and the political parties shows a culture of denial and inaction. Enough has happened in the past six to eight months for us to realise the enormity of the issue which should exercise the minds of those involved.

Senator Norris seconded the proposal to amend the Order of Business for which I thank him. It is accepted. He asked for a debate on charities, which I will allow if time is available in the next three weeks.

Senator Ryan said that until 1998, all inspection reports were secret documents until the Freedom of Information Act was passed. He questioned whether regulations are ever enforced and it is a question I often ask. More legislation is being passed and also more EU regulations but it is a question of enforcement.

Senator Ryan also referred to the referendum in France and the one in the Netherlands being held today. He rightly said neo-liberalism is being confronted by the 25% of the population cohort at the lower income end of western society. In this context the House discussed pensions last week. I feel a little bit of a fraud talking about pensions because I have a pension which is guaranteed.

Questions are being raised about the European Union. Senator Brian Hayes yesterday suggested we hold our fire until after the meeting of EU prime ministers in two weeks' time. It is a depressing situation and a way of dealing with it must be found.

Senator Mooney asked the House to acknowledge in some way the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi in the context of human rights. He asked that the House honour her by way of an all-party motion and I am confident if the Senator takes the lead in this matter, all party leaders will support it.

Senator Mooney also referred to Paul Foreman, the representative of Médecins Sans Frontières who has been criticised and arrested by the Sudanese Government. He asked that the case be brought to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Senator Finucane praised the High Court judge who refused an injunction to the owners of the nursing home involved in the "Prime Time" programme. The judge viewed the programme and gave his ruling that it should be screened. Senator Finucance said it is imperative that an independent inspectorate be set up. He questioned whether the tax incentives result in too much emphasis on monetary matters rather than on the social and caring role.

Senator Quinn referred to issue of compliance with legislation. He supported Senator Ryan's point regarding the use of helmets by motor cyclists and referred also to the issues of speeding and drink driving. Much of this behaviour is a result of our history. For eight centuries we were fighting against those who made rules for our country. When we make our own rules the rebellious streak shows up.

Senator Ulick Burke called for regulation and legislation of charities. He stated there are 6,500 registered charities and there is an urgent need for legislation. Yesterday, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Noel Ahern, who has responsibility for this area stated that a wider consultative process had been engaged in. I will convey the Senator's concerns to the Minister of State. The Senator also referred to charity collectors outside post offices and banks on Friday mornings. I always ask to see the collector's permit and they usually show it. If they do not have a permit to show I do not contribute. If they have personal authorisation then they are entitled to collect.

Senator Maurice Hayes declared his interest in this matter as chairman of the Ireland Fund. He said that all charities want legislation for the sector. Senator Bannon asked for a debate on waste management.

Senator Coghlan is still hankering after Dingle and rightly so. He took exception to the name An Daingean on signposts.

Senator Coonan asked for a debate on cancer treatment. I am sure the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children is well aware that life exists outside the Pale. She was in Athlone last weekend. However, inequality in cancer treatment exists.

Senator Moylan took up the cause of the great clampers at Croke Park. Both he and I have our noses out of joint because of the results of the Offaly and Westmeath matches. The Senator also took exception to Daingean being downgraded so to speak. Many a fine Offaly person came from there. Senator Bradford supported Senator Brian Hayes and also believed we should have a broader debate on care for the elderly. Senator Dooley spoke of delivery of health services. He said that the name "Hanly" has come to be debased. The Senator believes that the proposed reductions in the accident and emergency service in Ennis should not proceed.

Senator McHugh spoke about the Irish language and the connection between Irish people and their landscape. He also spoke about cancer treatment in Donegal. I agree with him and found it heart-rending to read the full-page report in The Irish Times last week. Some women admitted to volunteering for breast removal rather than make the bus journey for chemotherapy and radiation therapy twice or three times a week. I was very depressed for those women and I thank the Senator for raising the matter. We should try to have a debate on cancer care as soon as possible for which I know the Tánaiste would attend.

Senator John Paul Phelan called on the Tánaiste to come to the House to discuss the Hanly report. I remember Senator Feeney speaking on the matter. Those on this side of the House never said that the report was dead.