Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I think the planned sos will have to be abandoned, but we will see.

Senator Brian Hayes brought up the issue of the wonderful library we have in Leinster House. He said there is only one librarian remaining there and asked when the decision regarding this was taken. We now know the decision was taken by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, of which Senators O'Toole, Ulick Burke and Mansergh are members, as is the Cathaoirleach, Senator Kiely.

The new library and research service will have two key service delivery points, one in the existing library and the other in the Kildare House extension. It is intended that four staff members will be on duty in the library in Leinster House. The staff numbers in the library and research service will be increased from 12 in mid-2005 to 30 by September 2006. This is in line with the finding of the benchmarking review undertaken by Deloitte and Touche on behalf of the office in 2002. All subsequent developments have been approved by the management committee and the commission, both of which considered the strategic and development plans for the library and research services.

Apparently, we will receive a better service. There may be some professional tension between the researchers and the librarians, as Senator Mooney has said, but I do not know. I have found the library very good and it is a lovely place to go to. The decision was taken by the commission and the management committee of the library.

Senator O'Toole wants No. 1 on the Order Paper concerning e-democracy to be debated in the autumn. He also spoke about the library but I have just dealt with that matter. Senator Ryan raised the issue of the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. He then spoke about reform of the health service and referred to a letter published in The Irish Times, which I had also read. That letter points out what the Tánaiste has said constantly, namely, that reform is the key to unlocking the potential of our health services. If ever a mantra was needed for reform, it is the contents of that letter. The letter writer, who is a doctor, had no idea why he was getting so much additional money. He felt he was just doing his duty by caring for his patients. Reform is necessary.

Senator Leyden wants a debate on the revision of the register of electors and suggested there will be 250,000 new voters at the next general election. However, while that sounds like a very good rallying call, those people would have to become citizens of the country before they could vote in a general election.