Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Following on Senator Mansergh's point, Senator Maurice Hayes made a thoughtful contribution about building up capacity in the Civil Service. He suggested buying the competency into a Department, even if only on a contract basis. He also said there are computer glitches around the world. I had a feeling computers were not everything they were made out to be.

Like Senator Terry, I was alarmed to hear the report about children being dropped to school an hour before the school opened. I do not understand how that can happen because there are legal and insurance reasons why children cannot be supervised there. It is an issue which must be included in the child care debate of which it forms part. The Senator wants the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss this issue.

Senator White called for a debate on domestic violence, which we hope to have. Senator Norris asked for a debate on Iraq. We are angling for that debate to take place next week too. He also made a point about asylum seekers, a topic we could debate. There will be a Europe-wide directive on asylum seekers. I had not realised the law in other countries is much more severe than it is here.

Senator Jim Walsh wants a debate on Irish Ferries. He also raised the matter by which we were all struck this morning, namely, the obstruction of the issuing of extra medical cards. Everyone in this House wants those cards to be issued. Professor Monaghan of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spoke about the matter on "Morning Ireland" today, as did Gerard Barry from the Health Service Employers Agency who was adamant that it would happen. I hope it will.

Senator Feighan called for a debate on the western rail corridor and the visas for the undocumented Irish in America. Senator Hanafin wants the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to come to the House to debate comparative pricing. There was also good report on that topic on "Morning Ireland".

Senator Browne mentioned the role of consultancies and the issue of young children left at school prior to school opening.