John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I agree with Senator Norris. Senators Finucane and Feighan raised the matter of community support for older people. I agree it was a good scheme and I know of many who availed of it. Some of the rural organisations were involved in ensuring people got these devices. I have personal experience in my own family of their success. I do not know the detail but I will endeavour to find out. It is a matter that can be discussed at a later date.

Senator Glynn raised the issue of the National Roads Authority not contributing to the signage for local services. He has a good point. I was in France at the weekend and I noticed that at the top of each road there are signs for virtually every business on the road. The signs are small and uniform and do not intrude. People should know where these services are and it should be possible to erect signs. We will try to progress that issue.

Senator Norris raised the issue of extending the time allocated for the Order of Business. This matter was discussed in the Committee on Procedure and Privileges before the present session; it confirmed that we would have this order. While I am sure it can be reviewed in the future, that is the way it is at the moment. It is not for me to say whether the time allocated should be increased or reduced; the House resolved it is a matter for the committee and the House to decide. I agree with Senator Mansergh that structured debate is the correct approach. Sometimes I wonder about the matters raised on the Order of Business. Of course they are all very appropriate, a Leas-Chathaoirleach, and if they were not you would rule them out of order.

Senators McCarty, Dooley and Minihan spoke about a particular autistic child. While I do not know the full details, I know that more issues are involved than might appear, as mentioned by Senator Minihan. Senator Dooley made a good point about autism. All of us would have experience of difficulties families with an autistic child have had not only with central Government services but also with local planning authorities. In some cases people need to change their houses and have difficulty with the relevant planning authority. We should debate the issue of autism and disability.

Senators Bradford, Mansergh and Coonan spoke about decentralisation. While it is patchy in its rollout, as far as I am aware it is still the Government's commitment to proceed with decentralisation. I look forward to the Department of Defence and the Army headquarters coming to County Kildare. I will ask the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to come to the House to discuss these issues in detail.

I am glad that Senator Quinn can be seen in Melbourne. We may reach the point in the House where we will be like Micheál O'Hehir at an all-Ireland final welcoming everybody from Melbourne, Chicago, Los Angeles, Canada etc. I know the Internet is being watched and I take the Senator's point about broadband. I know the determination exists to roll it out. I have seen it successfully installed in small places in the west of Ireland. While I do not dispute what he said, I am surprised the figure is as mentioned. It is the determination of those involved to roll it out properly and to have it implemented.

Senators Coghlan, Bannon and Feighan spoke about Iarnród Éireann. It sounds like bad business planning if it bought carriages which it now needs to scrap. It is a market reality that the rail network in Ireland from the point of view of those transporting goods seems inadequate, which is why the freight goes on the roads even though they are congested.