Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, as did many other Members, asked if the sale of Aer Lingus would be debated in the House. It will be debated in the Dáil. Section 3(5) of the Aer Lingus Act 2004 states, "The Minister for Finance may not dispose of any shares in the Company without the general principles of the disposal being laid before and approved by Dáil Éireann". The Act was passed by the Seanad on 31 March 2004. I am giving Members the legal position before they all jump up on the issue. I will ask if the relevant Ministers will discuss the matter with the Seanad. Senator Hayes also raised the matter of the White Paper on the sale of Aer Lingus promised by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan. I do not know where that has gone but we have sent a note on that matter.

Senator Hayes congratulated all Departments responsible for the recent ceremony for the Battle of the Somme commemoration. I, like others, received an invitation but I had a previous arrangement which I could not cancel. The Battle of Verdun was even greater than the Somme and more Irish soldiers, particularly from the fusiliers, died there. That will be for other days. What I saw of the Somme ceremony made terrific viewing.

Senator O'Toole also called for a debate on the sale of Aer Lingus. I have already given the legal position on that and it is up to the Minister for Finance if he wishes to have a debate. I will seek a debate regardless. The Senator also called for a debate on employment, considering NTL's announcement on its call centres.

Senator O'Meara raised the Somme commemoration, media law and child care. Bills on child care and defamation and privacy will be introduced in the autumn and both have been secured for first reading in the Seanad.

Senator Brennan pointed out that today is 4 July, American Independence Day. He also welcomed the extension of the President's centenarians' bounty to expatriates. The first to receive the bounty is Mary Kelly, who was born in Askeaton in July 1905. I am very happy for her and others who will be lining up for it. The Senator marked the matter in a dignified way.

Senator Finucane raised the issue of public and private care in hospitals. He believes more respite centres should be built where the elderly can go in comfort rather than divvying them out between public and private hospitals.

Senator Bohan pointed out there are 200,000 drivers with provisional licences. He asked for an amnesty for those with a licence for at least five years and no convictions. I do not know whether that is proper but I will put it to the Minister.

Senator Norris raised the issues of the sale of Aer Lingus and the Somme commemoration. Like me, he could not go to it. He noted the establishment of the Heritage Council but with the exclusion of An Taisce. He is correct in saying there are no warm feelings for An Taisce. He also raised the matter of the lovely Queen Anne house in County Wicklow that has fallen into disrepair.

Senator Mansergh claimed the argument is not over about the fading away of employment in call centres because there is a rethink about hiving these jobs off to India and other countries. Perhaps it will be back to base for call centre employers.

Senator John Paul Phelan recounted a terrible story about how a clamping company laughed at the people who were clamped. To say "Good luck, I hope you find your car", particularly after a warm day, is a terribly derisory way to treat anyone. The company was awarded the contract. When one contacts such companies, they can be very offhand. I understand the individuals, although they were in the wrong, were not happy when they were clamped. However, that is beside the point when they sought the return of their car.

Senator Ross called for the flotation of Aer Lingus to be discussed. He heard what I said. Senator Kitt asked for a debate on the means-testing of supplementary pensions, which he claimed was unfair. Senator McHugh raised Kofi Annan's recent comments on drug-taking. I saw Grainne Kenny of Europe Against Drugs with Senator McHugh in the canteen earlier. I recently met a Donegal woman who is mad about Senator McHugh and wants him to get——