Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of the location of the new children's hospital and asked that a decision be deferred for a month or two. It would be very wrong to defer a decision as it would send a wrong signal. We are all rightly aware of the needs of children and this hospital is to serve the whole country. Groups have been set up and have discussed it and agreed the location. There have been endless discussions on it. To set up another group to decide what to do would be time consuming, would give rise to criticism and I am not sure if it would arrive at a different conclusion.

Of course, it is a very important development for years to come. That is not to take away from the great work done in Harcourt Street, Tallaght, Crumlin and St. James's Hospital. I cannot see what could be achieved by a further delay. There will always be disappointments. The consultants from hospitals that did not get the approval are those who are making the noises.

Senator Norris asked where is RTE when we need it. It was not here last Friday either but I am informed it was here last night. The Senator raised the matter of the Mater Hospital. He also asked for a debate on rendition and asked that everybody in the House get a copy of Senator Marty's report.

Senator McDowell referred to the decision of the European Central Bank to raise interest rates. He realises it is independent in its thinking and its decision making. I will ask if the Minister for Finance would be interested in coming in here for a debate on monetary policy.

Senator Dardis referred to the position in East Timor. He asked that the Minister for Foreign Affairs would ask the UN to send a police force there, on which we would have members, because of our interest in this area and the experience we have gained. I will certainly be glad to raise that issue.

Senator Finucane referred to the acute difficulties involving waiting lists for orthodontic treatment. Following delays of three or four years for treatment, children will have left the primary school and moved on to secondary school. There are two separate problems with it. The child cannot have the treatment because his or her condition is not serious enough and yet the child is miserable and suffers from a lack of self-confidence in regard to what he or she thinks is a huge drawback to his or her appearance. If the National Treatment Purchase Fund was encouraged the delay in inspection could be obviated. That would be a good use of the fund. I shall bring that matter to the attention of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children.

Senator Glynn raised the matter of fly-dumping. The problem is increasing given that people tend to go out at night in the summertime with black bags. They think they can dump them and get away with it. On "Today with Pat Kenny" there was a feature where Valerie Cox used to inspect black bags. If she found letters she would trace them to whoever had dumped them, although it may not always be the proper person. However, the Senator's point is well made.

Senator Quinn asked about the independence of the nursing homes inspectorate. We have not yet had the Bill. Perhaps that matter could be raised on Committee Stage of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill. I will also inquire about it. The Senator also raised the matter of the Government of Sudan and asked that it live up to its promises.

Senator Morrissey referred to the Competition Authority's criticism of certain IMO practices in regard to doctors receiving a flat fee for visiting patients in nursing homes which, according to the Senator, they do not always do. The nursing home gets a doctor to come in and that doctor communicates with the doctor who should be present, with the prescription coming in by fax. What a tortuous way to deal with anyone. That is a fair point. Without meaning to be smart I suggest the Senator raise the matter with the Tánaiste at one of their meetings.