Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the welcome news of the US Supreme Court decision. Everybody was pleased about that. When I read about the decision, I recalled when we first debated Guantanamo Bay in the House. I thought the world was going to fall in on us. However, this shows that a small Chamber and a small country can raise the profile of an issue by constantly debating it.

I remember feeling a cold wind when I spoke out about Guantanamo Bay in this House. It came from Leinster House and asked how I dared to say anything about the Americans. More to the point, how dare one not talk about Guantanamo Bay. As this was not authorised by Congress, it was wrong. While I hope it will be dealt with quickly, Members should not hold their breath.

As Senator Brian Hayes noted, the British Prime Minister and the Taoiseach laid matters on the line in respect of Northern Ireland. I hope the pressure will work because I question whether anyone wants to opt for the suggested alternative, namely, a centralised system within the United Kingdom, even if a partnership approach was taken. I hope that all parties will bear that in mind.

Senator O'Toole echoed Senator Brian Hayes's comments on the United States Supreme Court and brought up the comments of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland president, Pat Cahill, regarding drink and drug usage and getting rid of drink advertising. He also raised the report on haemochromatosis issued by a distinguished former Leader of the House, Maurice Manning.

I have the honour to be the national honorary president of the Irish Haemochromatosis Association. One year ago, I brought its chief executive to see the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children at a meeting in the Department of Health and Children. She immediately set up this process under Maurice Manning and an excellent report has been produced. If the House had time, it could be debated. However, I hope to facilitate this in the autumn.

This is one of the hidden diseases about which no one knows. I became acquainted with it because my late brother Brian Lenihan died from haemochromatosis, which was unknown in Ireland at the time. He was diagnosed in Boston. On that basis, I was invited to be the society's national president and am glad to be so. The significant point about haemochromatosis is that if discerned, people can be cured. Hence, there is a need for awareness. It consists of an excess of iron in one's system and has nothing to do with drinking. It is a genetic condition which leads to an excess of iron in one's system. Maurice Manning has done a great job by issuing this report and I hope we can have a debate on this issue in the autumn.

Senator Tuffy also referred to the US Supreme Court decision. In addition, she was concerned that the rights of children should be expressly inserted in the Constitution in a fully comprehensive way. I agree and hope that the all-party committee which is being established at present will address that issue. She also asked about the right to petition the Seanad. I hope the five party leaders will be able to meet briefly in the coming week and that the matter can be brought to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, which has the job to decide. Perhaps a formula can be worked out.

Senator Mansergh spoke about the US Supreme Court decision and about the North. I agree with him that while no one wishes to see a return to direct rule, that is what will happen if the parties do not get on with it. He also commented on the ESRI's call to reduce spending on infrastructure, which contrasts with the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland's call for increased expenditure in this regard. The latter is correct.

I could not agree more with Senator Finucane's comments in respect of rural sewerage projects. It is appalling. The expensive percolation tests to which he referred are being touted to those who try to get a one-off housing planning permission. While it used to cost €3,000, it now costs €5,000 or even €7,000 to install a percolation system, which is hugely expensive.

In the meantime, to take up Senator Dooley's point, although people are encouraged to live in villages, when one chooses to do so no sewerage systems are available and consequently one cannot get planning permission. The whole matter is a mess and it is the ordinary person who wants planning permission who is being held up. Between the Department and the local authorities, the amount of bureaucracy is huge, and one spins the ball to the other. As one awaits movement from the Department, it claims to be waiting for local authorities to get moving. In the meantime, the entire process is a mess.

Senator Morrissey wishes to renew the debate on private buses. He alleges that cross-subsidisation is undoubtedly taking place within CIE. Senator Quinn raised the G8 summit in Gleneagles and the issue of debt relief in the context of the WTO talks. He took a particular point of view in respect of the WTO talks and stated that flexibility is required in order that poorer countries will benefit from the talks.

Senator Kenneally referred to ComReg's recently-published report regarding telecommunications charges. One point it made is that people are speaking too much to one another. Perhaps it is too much blarney. The Senator also referred to excessive charges, as well as allying himself to the comments in respect of the sewerage schemes.

Senator Terry agreed with Senator Mansergh's comments regarding the front-loading of infrastructure. She also discussed her experiences in Dublin Airport at 5 a.m. this morning, as well as the chaos which ensued at Dublin Airport yesterday. She is a great women to be present in the Chamber and I agree with her.