Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Indeed, the independent republic of North Great Georges Street. Everybody got a tree. I cannot figure out how the Senator was not told about that.

Senator Norris also mentioned the insurance Bill. That was raised yesterday and it will be taken before the summer recess.

Senator Ulick Burke asked for a debate on the Border, midland and western region. He spoke about the widening gap between east and west.

Senator John Paul Phelan asked that the Minister for Finance be invited to the House to discuss the increase in inflation and to brief us on the changed agenda on decentralisation. He very properly said that he is in favour of decentralisation. I listened to the Taoiseach yesterday speaking on the Order of Business in the Dáil where he said that if one does not set the bar high one will go nowhere. The bar was set high but he is man enough now to say that perhaps not everything encompassed in the calendar for implementation will happen. If one does not aim high, however, one will achieve nothing. It will work very well in Westmeath, in Athlone and Mullingar, where things are moving ahead at a great rate, I am glad to say, to echo what Senator Scanlon said.