Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

They were certainly from Cork. Senator Cox voiced her concerns about health fora for local interests and representatives. We will ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children about them but I must read the speech given last night by the Minister for State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power. Senator Finucane called for local accountability regarding the health fora and also mentioned Turbary rights. It is crazy that people must obtain planning permission and an environmental impact assessment to cut turf. This country is over-regulated.

Like many others, Senator Maurice Hayes read the Ferns report in its entirety and asked us to examine the situation in the North. Some female members of the PSNI developed good protocols for dealing with abuse victims, which would be very useful to look at. In response to comments made by Senator Norris, Senator Maurice Hayes did not argue that there should be no legislation; he merely argued against knee-jerk legislation.

Senator Norris is correct in stating that there are decent people in the Catholic Church, among whom most of us would count ourselves. He stated that many senior figures put the church before children's suffering and mentioned the fact the churches are exempt from equality legislation. Senator Feeney thanked Mr. Justice Murphy, a sentiment with which I agree. His report is very clear and makes for easy, if horrid, reading. Reports are often turgid but it is possible to follow this report consequentially.

Senator Bannon called for a debate on the establishment of local health fora and the establishment of an airport in Longford.