Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Leyden would like to invite members of all sides of the Middle East conflict to come to Ireland for a peace conference. That is a good idea. Senator Norris asked about a seat in the Seanad for an emigrants' representative. He knows as much about it as I do. The Taoiseach did not talk to me about it. I made an inquiry in his office and there appears to be no movement on it. We know only what we read in The Irish Times, so we need not hold our breath.

Senator Norris spoke of the late Councillor Eddie Fullerton, an elected representative. He agreed with Senator Minihan that the Tánaiste should hold her nerve as there is no immediate solution to the health problems.

Senator Maurice Hayes was greatly in favour of a Europe day. He spoke too about the unregulated use of stem cell research, the issue raised by Senator Finucane. The Senator supports Senator Norris in a constructive Opposition approach to health issues.

Senator Feighan raised the issue of the pyramid schemes in County Meath. He said a hot line should be set up which people could ring to check out a scheme, not to check the bona fides because there probably is none. Everyone should be aware of caveat emptor.

Senator Mooney said Ireland enjoys the lowest tax regime in the world. One will not hear that praise from the Opposition. I thank the Senator for raising the issue. It is the main headline in today's national newspapers. If the main headline was that we had the worst tax regime in the world, the Opposition would be jumping up and down.

Senator Ryan and others raised the issue of the importation of poultry. It is an important industry issue to which I have already referred.

Senator White supported the call for a public inquiry into the death of Councillor Eddie Fullerton and said that if he or his family were what had been termed "big shots"— we all understand the term — there would be a move to do something on the case.

Senator Fitzgerald raised the issue of the lack of competence to deal with queries through Irish in the Department of Education and Science. That is a mater we should raise with the Minister.