Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The way the media have begun to write about the western rail corridor does not bode well for it. Those concerned would want to get their act together and get stroppy about it again.

Senator Kitt also referred to the national broadcaster and the future of farming. Senator Bannon asked for the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to be invited to the House to debate nursing home subventions. We had a very good debate last week on Second Stage of the nursing home legislation. It concerned repayments but was essentially about nursing homes and presented a very good opportunity to Senators to talk about subventions.

Senator Ó Murchú raised the issue of Guantanamo Bay and referred to voices against the war in Iraq. He called for a debate on the Middle East. Senator Feighan referred to the great proliferation of drugs in our community. Senator Maurice Hayes referred to the need to protect those who work in the emergency services. I agree because these are the people we call upon when we need them.

Packed meetings are again taking place around Ireland on the subject of mobile telephone masts. I believed this subject had passed on. The people at these meetings are sometimes the ones who complain they cannot get a signal or service, but one cannot have it both ways.