Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the young firefighter who went to do his public service and by way of thanks got 35 stitches in his face from what Senator Hayes described as a "lunatic hooligan". While firefighters are paid by a town or city council, much of their work is of a voluntary nature and for that to happen is appalling. Senator Hayes called for additional legal protection for those who work in the public emergency services and asked that, if the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform tables an amendment to his Bill, it be accepted as soon as possible.

Senator Norris raised the issue of RTE. He said the debate in the Seanad was broadcast last week but that it did not state in the newspapers when it would be shown. Most of us check the agenda in the newspaper if we want to watch a programme. There was a stunning picture of the Senator on the front page of The Irish Times today and he cannot complain in this regard.

Senator Norris referred to the manner in which some programmes are being displaced by RTE. Myles Dungan was a shining light and his programme "Rattlebag" is brilliant. On this programme one might hear Peruvian singers or a storyteller from Chile. No matter what one says, this is an island and "Rattlebag" gives us a chance to hear things from other countries and continents. I do not know why it is being displaced until 11 p.m. — an amazing decision. It is the quirky voice of John Kelly, who presents "The Mystery Train", that attracts one, in addition to his commentary on the music he is featuring.

Senator Norris also referred to the suicides at Guantanamo Bay, which were described by some PR lady in the United States as a PR stunt — I ask you — and by others as an act of aggression. The Senator wants a wider debate on the Middle East.

Senator Ryan called for a debate on Palestine and Israel and agreed with what was said on public sector broadcasting, on which he also wants a debate. He referred to the new phenomenon of homeless immigrants, who are now part of our lives and abandoned on our streets. He called for a debate on the arms industry, which is now worth €900 billion.

Senator Minihan called for a debate on the education and points systems. These would be suitable for debate in the autumn and it would be wrong to debate them now. Everybody is talking about the fact that one cannot do leaving certificate higher level mathematics. Even the most adept at mathematics in secondary schools say one must spend far too much time on the subject, at the expense of other subjects. Reference was made to the clear mistake in the geography papers at honours and pass levels, whereby the former was produced in colour while the latter was not.

Senator Browne asked for the details and cost of the cancer report and called for a debate on prostate cancer. On Senator Kitt's point, it is now fashionable to speculate on the western rail corridor. Some are saying it should not go ahead in spite of all the work put into it. People who live in Dublin and use the DART and Luas, for example, forget that a wider part of Ireland needs its rail services.