Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Keep a firm grip on one's homestead and do not mortgage it to anybody as it will then be taken over. The Senator mentioned Sellafield. I believe many wrong and noxious things are happening at Sellafield but they are being overlooked because there is so much other business and turbulence at present. The Senator urged that the Taoiseach, when discussing the Northern Ireland peace process with Prime Minister Blair, raise the issue of Sellafield.

There is probably nobody in the land who does not know about the beef overshoot. I will endeavour to get the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, to come to the House to discuss it. Senator Dardis said Irish agriculture policy should be safe and he noted that the French Government has taken the same position as the Irish Government. He suggested a wide-ranging debate on the NRA and roads policy. He also congratulated Professor Drumm on taking up the position in the HSE. The Tánaiste was due a break and she got one in securing Professor Drumm for the job. We expect great things as a result.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the NRA matter yesterday, which led to us contacting the NRA. The Senator is correct that it is bizarre that the NRA should say one thing in its report and on the radio yesterday and completely change its mind the following day. Senator Mansergh expressed the hope that the European Council will restore confidence. We share that hope. He also said the Common Agricultural Policy will not be dismantled and that Britain had led the opposition to reform but has now changed. Of course, that is not the issue. This is a useful tool for Prime Minister Blair to get over the difficulty that he could not bring his country into the heart of Europe because the people would not vote with him on it. It has lengthened his tenure in No. 10 Downing Street. It was always understood that when it was put to the people he would disengage but now he can stay forever because he is seeking to retain the subsidy. He is imitating Margaret Thatcher, which is interesting.