Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Those recommendations are sometimes ahead of their time. The commission sees society going in certain directions and steers the law accordingly. Many Law Reform Commission reports would, if implemented immediately, result in mayhem throughout the land, but in five or ten years they may be acceptable in changing the social mores of the country.

Senator John Paul Phelan wants a debate on housing, specifically on the smaller houses or old persons' dwellings, OPDs, and a debate on water fluoridation. I seem to remember we had that debate recently but I will check this. Senator Moylan said the farmers in the Shannon Basin are facing problems due to flooding and I agree. He also raised an interesting matter about how county councils are being asked to list all the buildings in their territory that are to be preserved. Some of the buildings for which they are requesting preservation are dubious and I see nothing of particular note about them.

Senator Cummins wants legislation to close the recent loophole urgently addressed. He may take it that it is happening. I have not got a grip on it yet because I came here directly after the Senators' meeting. He said we urgently addressed the land lease Bill last year. Let me repeat that whenever there is urgent legislation to be addressed, this House will be recalled and will give plenty of time to debate it, whether it is on a weekend or a recess. Senator Kitt spoke about the UN meeting on HIV-AIDS in New York, the shortage of formula feeds in Africa and the need for us to highlight that matter. I thank him for raising it.