Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Finucane raised the issue of high ESB bills which people have been receiving. The thrust of his argument was that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, of which he is a member, is doing a report without sight of that which the Minister has had for some time. No matter what the Minister's report contains, it would be good if it was published. We will ask his office if that can be done.

Senator O'Toole referred to No. 15 on the Order Paper, the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Bill 2006, in his name. He said the Minister told him he intends to include it in the ever growing list of amendments to the criminal justice Bill. He talked about the 15 years of plenty but I never believe what economists say. I hope we have 15 years of plenty but I have never met an economist who has been able to read a crystal ball correctly. Economists usually find a reason to explain why they were wrong. Apologies to Senator Ross, who might be labelled an economist, but I think they want to get a bit of notice for themselves.

Senator O'Toole also talked about health infrastructure and, in particular, the number of women who are dying unnecessarily from cancer. The Senator and Senator Henry did a service to the House by tabling a motion in this House yesterday on which I was unable to speak.

Senator Ryan spoke about competitiveness and about what the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said, namely, that the people who damaged the Progressive Democrats' offices were people who went on anti-war marches.