John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I do not know about the situation with regard to the emergency Bill in the Dáil on the registration of births, deaths and marriages but we will look into that.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has actively tried to deal with the MRSA bug. Senator Leyden is correct, however, this involves a question of hygiene. I noted in Scotland there was a recommendation that telephones and door knobs be disinfected between patients because that is how infection spreads.

As drugs become more potent they have a capacity to pressurise the system and isolate the resistant bug which thrives in those circumstances. Previously, the other bugs thrived along with the resistant one and kept it at bay.

In regard to Senator John Paul Phelan's concern about the sugar industry and related CAP matters, the Minister for Agriculture and Food is away but we hope she may be able to devote an hour or so to these topics on Friday morning. I am not yet certain about that.

I am aware of the surprising fact that Wexford is one of the most depressed areas in the country in terms of wealth and employment. Few people realise that and I am glad these matters are being highlighted.

Senators Henry and White raised the matter of the appalling level of casualties in Iraq. It would be appropriate to convey our concerns and our views on the matter to the ambassadors of the United Kingdom and the United States.

Senator Bannon mentioned tourism in the midlands where the lakeland is a fine resource. I drove across the Slieve Blooms at the weekend on my way home from the west. There was nobody there although it is an outstandingly beautiful part of the country.