Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator called for a debate on this in the context of the EU directive that will come into effect in January 2006.

Senator McCarthy refers to the obligations on those in the poultry trade in regard to registration of stocks and expresses concern that the Revenue Commissioners might use this information to go after small enterprises. The Senator also raised the possible inaccessibility issues that arise in regard to the publicjobs.ie website. I received a letter from a would-be public service job applicant, a non-national, who experienced difficulties because he has no access to a computer. He hopes a local public school will assist him in this regard. Senator McCarthy also asked about Progressive Democrats policy, given the statements of one member of that party in the other House.

Senator Dardis called for a debate on Northern Ireland, particularly the situation of the "on the runs", and called on the paramilitaries to assist grieving families in locating the remains of loved ones. He suggested this House might be a suitable forum for some level of contribution from Northern politicians. He also called for a debate on the WTO talks. The Senator observed that Progressive Democrats Members have always been free to express their points of view. Finally, he demanded accountability from all churches.

Senator Finucane referred to Archbishop Martin's excellent interview of yesterday and observed that people should not be kicked when they are down. This holds true for the entire debate. He called for the BreastCheck programme to be rolled out on a nationwide basis before 2007 and that more be done to raise awareness of prostate cancer among men.

Senator Mooney referred to the ceremony in Derry, at which the Irish tricolour flew alongside the union jack, which was attended by relatives of the youngest soldier to be killed in the First World War. He asked that in future we have a minute's silence to mark Armistice Day. He also conveyed his sympathy to the people killed and injured in the bombings in Jordan, which was always regarded as a relatively safe environment.

Senator Norris called for a debate on the Middle East, particularly the situation in Baghdad. He raised the need for closer monitoring of companies such as Shell and observed that it is the tenth anniversary of the death of KenSaro-Wiwa. He also praised Niall Mellon and the other builders who have gone to South Africa to build houses for poor people there.

Senator Morrissey spoke of the unofficial Bus Éireann strike in Galway and the need for bus deregulation. Senator Coghlan referred to the need for the residents of the Black Valley to get adequate telecommunications facilities. The Black Valley is at the foot of Carrantuohill, the most beautiful place in Ireland in the Senator's estimation.