Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ryan raised the issue of the prohibition on advertising of rational religion, as he called it. He also raised the closure of St. Michael's national school in Inchicore, as did Senator Morrissey, and the common travel area. Recently when I travelled to London I had to produce my passport and got very cross about it and said I would not. The official then said that I would not go anywhere. We are asked for our passports even though we should not be asked.

Senator Dardis welcomed the positivity of the Independent Monitoring Commission and the presence today of a prince from across the water — we are not allowed mention names — at the President's award, Gaisce. He was right to bring to our attention the national day of commemoration.

Senator Finucance raised the issue of fundraising for cancer sufferers. He said the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, had agreed to look into the matter and to provide the necessary funding and wondered why that had not happened.