Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Exactly, where would they be turned?

Senator Ulick Burke raised the issue of the delivery of hospital services throughout the country. The Tánaiste is in control of the health service. Thankfully, she has a good working relationship with Professor Brendan Drumm. The Senator also wanted a debate on energy and the role of the regulator. He stated we appear to have a preservation order on the national grid and one cannot tap into it. We will endeavour to get the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, to the House to debate those matters.

Senator Kitt raised the matter of funding for disability services. He stated that in the western region a mathematical formula is still used, particularly in counties Galway and Mayo, and, to a lesser degree, in County Roscommon. Senator Kitt suggests it should be based on the need for moneys for physical and speech therapies.

Regarding Senator Quinn's point, the Human Rights Commission wrote to all of us, enclosing documentation and stating it wants to be responsible to the Houses of the Oireachtas, which I thought admirable. I intended to examine that issue and take responsibility to hear from the commission and work through the document.

Easy access to lethal drugs on the Internet must be investigated. Senator Glynn raised the issues of the danger of bogs and the role the Christian Brothers played in education. He asked me to request the Taoiseach to mark their role in Irish education on the announcement that they will move out of it.

Senator Feighan welcomed the agreement on the marches in Belfast. He also requested that Professor Drumm come the House. I imagine the man has enough on his mind and there would be no chance of him coming here.