Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I am seeking a debate on the prohibition of religious advertising on the Irish broadcast media. It seems to me that every crackpot superstition can be advertised, including tarot cards or psychics live. Recently, I heard one of the Sunday newspapers advertising somebody who was going to tell us all about angels in two parts. I do not know whether the angels were in two parts or the article. It is astonishing that any kind of crackpot superstition can be advertised on our broadcast media but rational — although people may disagree with my use of that word — religion is prohibited. That is a daft and ludicrous situation. It is the direct opposite of any kind of genuine pluralism.

I am most disappointed at the closure of St. Michael's school in Inchicore. I chaired the task force which began the process of regeneration of the St. Michael's estate. An independent chairman was needed and since I was from 162 miles away nobody could believe I had any vested interest. It was a difficult but satisfying task.

It was clear that in addition to housing, the local community needed educational and other services. To deprive that community of any such services will undermine the regeneration process. I appeal to the Minister for Education and Science in that regard because the issue is about resourcing. The school was not satisfied that it was getting sufficient resources so I appeal for them to be provided.

Perhaps somebody can tell me whether we have abolished the common travel area. At the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body meeting in Killarney, an irate member of the British House of Commons said he had been asked to provide identification on arrival in Ireland, although he thought he was within a common travel area. He had his passport, as it happened, but he was told he would not be let in unless he produced some form of identification. That is not what we understood a common travel area to be. If it has been abolished, that fact should at least be announced.