Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ulick Burke spoke about the NRA. It is putting forward a hopeless policy whereby one is expected to keep driving regardless. The NRA representative said on the radio this morning that motorists could go into a village or town but the purpose of the bypass is that they do not do that. Motorists will have to bring their truck or car into the town or village.

The problem is that Ireland is a latecomer to road building. After World War Two the other countries in Europe built all their major roads but we did not. Now that we are doing it, we seem to see these things as fripperies. They are not. It is essential that there are rest locations of various types. The matter was treated in a flippant way this morning by the representative of the NRA. I intend to telephone the NRA. Is it mad? The country will have gorgeous roads everywhere but motorists will have to leave them to use toilet or rest facilities.

Senator Maurice Hayes strongly supported Senator Ulick Burke. Senator Feighan asked about BreastCheck. The Tánaiste has given the definitive date of 2007 for the roll out of BreastCheck in the west of Ireland.