Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Meara wants to hear the Government's thinking on the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill. While I do not know, I will endeavour to find out.

Senator Hanafin raised the issue of a gun amnesty. The Criminal Justice Bill will be before the House soon and it may be relevant to debate this issue in that context. The Senator also requested a debate on the matter of biodiesel. Senator Ulick Burke raised the issue of improving infrastructure funding in the BMW region. I attended the launch of the Ballaghaderreen Summer School where instructive seminars addressed the flight from the land and job creation. Some 900,000 extra jobs have been created, which is wonderful.

Senator MacSharry called for debates on radiotherapy services in the area above the Dublin to Galway line and the Rossport five. He said the Minister can be commended on the way he dealt with the matter in committee, which I am glad to hear.

Senator Bannon asked for a debate on what he calls the nationwide abandonment of health services. I do not think that is appropriate. The Senator has been active over the summer and is preoccupied with those issues.

Senator McHugh has also been busy. He was married and I congratulate him. We were thrilled by the pictures. He raised the double tagging of sheep and wants the matter taken up with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan. I will be glad to do so.

Senator Dooley raised the issue of the recycling of farm plastics. I thought that was settled when the agricultural community agreed to pay a levy but it now appears to be unravelling. The Senator called for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, to come to this House to debate the matter.

Senator Feighan welcomed the IRA statement. Last week eight Fianna Fáil members spent a day with the SDLP.