Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

No. Senator MacSharry spoke about the electoral register and about having a national identification card. He said it should be mandatory for people to vote about which I often thought. I do not know if it would mean reluctant voters or joyful ones, although I do not think they would ever by joyful. Voting is mandatory in many other countries.

Senator Ross called for a debate on social partnership into which we have no input. He is correct that a framework ten-year plan is being sought. I do not know how effective that would be. He also said the salaries of some people in banks had increased, that trade unions only represent one third of workers and that IBEC does not represent all management.

Senator Leyden called for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to outline a national plan for a register of electors. The matter of the electoral register will have to be addressed by way of a national plan. He also called for a debate on accident and emergency which we will have next week.

Senator Paddy Burke spoke about the electoral register and called for a debate on the BMW region. We could usefully have such a debate as soon as possible. Senator Glynn spoke about the compilation of the electoral register and called for a debate on accident and emergency services, which we will endeavour to have. He also asked for a directive on catering whereby one could get a breakdown of one's bill for lunch or dinner.

Senator Bannon echoed what Senator Finucane said about the electoral register. Nobody suggested what Senator Finucane has in regard to using students to compile the register. Students, who thankfully are being educated, would be available to compile the register and it would be good for them to be involved. There is no doubt that local authorities have received increased funding. Given that this job is so enormous and will require such intensity of effort, a national plan will have to be devised.

Senator Hanafin spoke about the price of oil and called for a debate on energy. I shared Senator Cummins's outrage when I read about the buses. I did not know an order had to be renewed. An order was made when I was Minister whereby all new buses and trains had to be wheelchair accessible. I did not realise another order had to be made, which is what the Minister said. It is a disgrace if €60 million is to be spent on buses around the country that are not wheelchair accessible. We will take up that issue with the Minister. The Senator also raised the issue of Comhairle's new logo and the fact it wants to rebrand itself. Some of us could do with rebranding.

Senator Kett also spoke about CIE purchasing buses without considering the needs of its users. It breaches the Disability Bill which we debated at length. If it is the case, I think it is illegal. However, I listened to a young woman on the radio and there seems to be a suggestion that it will not get these buses so we will have to find out the exact situation.

Senator Browne spoke about the cap on VAT on fuel and the Irish Nurses Organisation conference. Senator Kenneally spoke about the need for an energy policy and the fact we are not debating wind energy. I agree with him in that regard. I received the same e-mail from that gentleman in Castlebar about putting a small wind turbine in his garden. There is loads of wind in Castlebar.