Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

With regard to St. Patrick's Day, now approaching, Senator Brian Hayes asked if there was a need for emergency legislation regarding off-licence sales, which were the cause of trouble on that day the year before last. He also noted the major increase in tuberculosis among young men of a certain age and called for a debate. Senator O'Toole urged a debate on the situation in the Marino Institute of Education and said the independent report was not available. We can find out if it is. He also raised the matter of the institute for Irish schools in Ballyvourney which was proposed some four or five years ago and seemed a good idea. It was going to aid the gaelscoileanna movement in every way it could, and aid all those who wished to be educated through Irish. Senator O'Toole said he thought the project was stymied because it had nothing to do with the east coast, where the power is.

Senator Ryan agreed fluently with Senator O'Toole. He also spoke of the situation in Kenya, Somalia and east Africa in general. He is correct in that we have had notice of events there. I was glad to hear on the radio this morning that Ireland has fulfilled its monetary mission in those areas. Senator Ryan called for a debate on the issue and suggested we could shame the international donors who have not come forward. The Senator also raised the matter of the Indecon report, which is apparently once again floating the idea of service charges and other types of charges to be made by local authorities. He suggested we debate the matter. Senator Ryan also said the owners of holiday homes in this country do not have to pay local service charges. Apparently they do. There is no regulation to say they need not pay those charges so we should seek clarity on that.

Senator Kitt also called for a debate on east Africa. Senator Finucane urged a debate on the Indecon report. I do not know what Government, a year before an election, would go running with unpopular decisions which the Indecon report, if implemented, might involve. The time for such a move is after an election. Senator Cox noted that the death rate from cancer among Irish women was the second highest in western Europe, after Denmark. She also asked for a full debate on the roll-out of BreastCheck, and noted the upper age screening limit, which as she said seems to imply that certain people are not worth saving.

Senator Norris called for an analysis of the Easter Proclamation of 1916 rather than a march. He also called for a debate on the use of Shannon Airport by the US military. He spoke of tuberculosis and noted the great amount of spitting, which sounds awful. Senator Mooney called for a debate on the Middle East, with particular reference to the possible withdrawal of aid to Palestine, which could affect 153,000 people, and directly affect all services in the area.

Senator Ulick Burke urged debates on the Marino College report and on the BMW region. Senator Ormonde also called for an urgent debate on Marino College and wishes to get the situation into the open and settled. Senator Coghlan noted that the joint committee seems to have a different view on telephone blackspots vis-À-vis the Minister and called for a debate on the matter. The Senator did himself justice on the subject yesterday.

Senator Maurice Hayes urged a debate on tuberculosis. He said there should be no stampede to a redress board and that we must have such boards when we are directly involved in giving or not giving the treatment, or giving it erroneously. He noted there are other parties involved, such as the hospitals and medical staff. Senator O'Meara asked about the report by Judge Harding Clark. I received a rather ambiguous note stating that copies are available in the Department of Health and Children and that the Department is checking to see if it is intended to circulate the report to Oireachtas Members. It should be circulated.