Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Feighan also raised the matter of trampolines and safety nets. It is a consumer issue if there are safety concerns about the increasing use of trampolines. At nearly every children's party a trampoline is hired for the occasion. Senator Dooley also raised the issue of rest areas on motorways and said he had raised it previously. The lack of these areas could contribute to road deaths because tiredness will affect motorists.

Senator McHugh asked for a debate on Northern Ireland which would focus on the economic and commercial possibilities of using resources both North and South in a combined way to bring prosperity to both parts of this island. He offered the example of Altnagelvin Hospital, which provides breast cancer screening and treatment while five miles away in Donegal women must travel to Dublin for it twice and three times a week by bus. That is an obvious area in which there could be sharing. There is some sharing of health facilities North and South but the Senator's suggestion is most interesting.

Senator Kitt spoke about child care and suggested that local authorities provide sites. Senator Mansergh is hopeful of important political developments regarding Northern Ireland by the end of the session. It is the same for the Taoiseach. We wish him well but he must get up each morning to deal with the North and say: "I have hope; I have optimism." He keeps working at it non-stop. One would think that by now he would be battered down but he is giving it his all. We must hope that this is not another false dawn.

I wish to notify Members that two new Bills will come before the House to be dealt with before the end of session — the electoral Bill, which deals with the redrawing of the constituencies, and the commission on child abuse legislation.