Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ryan seconded the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes on tolls. As I said, the Minister for Transport is answering oral questions in the Dáil. Even if he was not doing so, I still could not just go and get the Minister to appear here.

Senator Ryan talked about unemployment levels. He also mentioned the penalties for union membership that one arm of the talks imposes on the other, although I am not sure I understood what he meant by that. However, the Senator also asked that we debate the report on asylum seekers and complained that he cannot get information on Thornton Hall. He also said that he wants a debate on the Council directive referred to in No. 11 on the Order Paper. I have taken a note of that.

Senator Kitt called for a debate on the Ombudsman for Children, which was echoed by Senator O'Meara.

Senator Finucane said tolling was a serious issue — it certainly is at the moment — and will remain so. We will endeavour to have the debate on tolling that he sought but we cannot have such a debate today because the Minister for Transport is otherwise engaged.

Senator Brennan asked that the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government issue an instruction to county councils that water and sewerage schemes costing less than €5 million should proceed quickly to tender once they get notification from the Department and that there should be no need for a further clarification from the Department. I think that will be welcomed.

Senator Norris raised the issue of medical education, but he was right to keep pushing the point. He is a fine speaker who topped the class in the little survey we had at our meeting yesterday.