Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

It shows alarming gaps, particularly in the midlands and other areas, with regard to hospice care. It would be a worthwhile debate. The Senator also mentioned care of the dying, with money being provided by the embargo on staffing, and he asked if the Tánaiste would come before the House to debate the matter.

Senator Scanlon discussed the death of a Polish person in his community. I am also disappointed at the response of the Polish Embassy on the matter, but the HSE and community care services have been generous in helping to get the body of the man repatriated. Senator Dardis reminded me of a case where an Irish person in Copenhagen became ill 25 years ago. The Irish Embassy charged him for a phone call, never mind helping him get home. I suppose there is a protocol for such events. Generosity in such a case would be most welcome.

Senator Finucane mentioned the advice of the Attorney General with regard to the Ryder and Heineken cups. He referred to the lack of insurance for foreign drivers and was supported in this by Senator Glynn. He mentioned that the vendor of a car could ensure that the buyer had insurance, but the vendor may be so glad to get a sale that he or she would off-load it immediately. We must sort out the jigsaw of safety and attempt to make it coherent. There were more road deaths yesterday and already today.

Senator Leyden referred to the Forfás report. We have requested it as Senator Quinn raised last week the issue of the overdependency with regard to energy, which is highlighted in the report. Senator Leyden mentioned the Corrib field and appealed to Statoil for the premium points to be honoured. I note the Senator declared his own interest. We hope to have the Forfás report after Easter.

Senator Henry would like a debate on funding for students, with the relevant Minister here to discuss it. In addition to suggesting that the vendor of a car should ensure that the buyer has insurance, Senator Glynn raised the robberies in Mullingar which he stated were being perpetrated by a group of eastern European women. He argued that they should be shown the gate if they are found guilty. Many Irish people are doing similar things, although they may not have carried out those robberies. It is not helpful to point out a particular nationality or grouping which carry out certain actions. In so doing we get a type of vicarious pleasure, as we are not doing it. Other misdeeds are being done by Irish people.

Senator Bannon mentioned the rates of employment in the construction industry and that Irish workers are being undercut. Senator Hanafin raised the privatisation of Aer Lingus. It is amazing that France has privatised its airline because the country is so precious with regard to employment and bound by labour laws. It has usefully privatised Air France, one of the bigger airlines. The Senator is correct in stating that the State did very well out of the earlier privatisations. Senator Hanafin also requested a road safety debate, and argued that the insurers, out of their rich pickings, could take a loss leader and help in the matter.

Senator Quinn raised the matter of the possible bird flu case in Fife in Scotland and he argued that we should plan ahead, which we should. He noted that the National Pensions Reserve Fund had been doing well, but the managers have been outperformed by pigeons. I saw the Senator on the BBC approximately a week ago. He offered great morning television and he did well. He spoke of other matters rather than the pension fund.