Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Glynn and Senator Henry also raised a question concerning doctors' training. As I understand it, the entrance parameters will be widened considerably come the next academic year. The Senators asked what people will do in the interim, but one cannot produce doctors in one year. They are not available in such a short time because their training lasts seven years. I hope we will have a debate on the matter soon, however.

Senator Browne sought a debate on the MRSA report, which is due to be published this afternoon.

Senator MacSharry raised the matter of local government funding. The Small Firms Association and IBEC are up in arms about this. Small businesses in particular are finding it difficult to cope with business rates. I have come across that issue on several occasions. Do local authorities require the bevy of programme managers, area assistants and all the rest that they have? There is a huge amount of staffing, yet one cannot find the relevant person when one telephones because they have gone to another seminar.

Senator Cummins said the proposed reduction of legal fees has been put off until next June. I do not know what influences were brought to bear in that matter, but I noticed it and was quite upset about it. The Senator also asked why the repeat fee for the leaving certificate examination was €236, while the initial fee is €90. As students have had an initial whack at the leaving certificate, it costs that much to repeat it.

Senator Scanlon raised the dispute at An Post and asked that money due under Sustaining Progress be paid to the company's pensioners. We would all agree with that because they are not a party to this dispute.