Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I would like to pick the person.

I wish that they were able to see the amount of work that goes on. That brings me to the relationship between a constituent and an elected representative at local, county or national level. I remember many years ago when I was first elected to the urban council; it was so long ago that I will not bother the Cathaoirleach by saying when. A local reporter asked me how I saw my role. At that stage the word "ombudsman" was entering use, and I told the person that I saw myself as such. I take that view because breaking down the mysteries of State organisations for a constituent is a substantial task. Through no fault of their own, they often find themselves quite unequal to it — as I sometimes do too.

I heard that the Minister had spoken about this matter. Can he do anything about telephones? I mean that not in the sense of communications. One rings an office number and is told to press 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 depending on the service. If one does not have the kind of telephone that accommodates such constant pressing, one cannot get through. One hears "The Rising of the Moon" or some inferior song being played endlessly while one waits to be connected with someone. That is always the case with Departments, State organisations and so on. I have not heard the Health Service Executive at it yet, but no doubt it is already picking whatever it intends to play.

People need help, and I accept what the Minister has said. When, in the run-up to a housing Bill, one is armed with the knowledge that a woman who has been on a list for a year and a half has not yet met the housing officer, one surely knows what one is talking about, as long as one has listened to the constituent. That applies also to the merits or demerits of shared ownership and some of the arrangements available from county councils for clients seeking housing. There is a great need, and I have always taken pride in the fact that, if one represents someone, one listens to them. One may not always be able to do it, but one listens to the point they are making and what they have to say to one. I therefore echo that point.