Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the Garda reserve and the issue of time allocated for the training of reservists, which was also raised over the weekend by Ms Kathleen O'Toole, the head of the Garda inspectorate. The Garda Representative Association used terminology such as "despise" and "hate" which is like an incitement to hatred. I was distressed by this and felt the association was out of touch with the feelings of the people on the matter. I thought the Garda reservists looked a fine bunch as they entered Templemore. We should be willing to give them time to return to their areas and begin their duties. A young woman was interviewed who wanted to give something back to her community.

Senator Brian Hayes asked if there had been progress on No. 28 on the Order Paper, Second Stage of the Civil Partnership Bill 2004. Senator Norris also raised this issue following the debate last year. I intend to speak to the Tánaiste about this matter to find out at what stage of progress it is.

Senator O'Toole referred to the Privacy Bill 2006. I only know that it is scheduled to come before this House, although I have read that discussions are ongoing and there will not be progress on it this term. I must find out where this Bill stands.

Senator Tuffy referred to rising gas prices and the appeals of the National Consumer Agency to Bord Gáis to stop the rise proceeding. The drop in oil prices has come after the rise, so to speak. The Green Paper on energy, released at the weekend, deserves a good airing and the rise in prices should be debated in this context.

Senator Tuffy also referred to the housing issue and I fully agree with her in that regard. Housing has become a significant live topic. There are not enough affordable houses, nor are there enough of what we used to call ordinary council houses. Housing is becoming a significant issue among constituents and they raise it with Members. We could well have a debate on housing.

Senator Leyden called for a debate on the discontinuation of Smart Telecom's business. Even if Eircom still comprised a State monopoly, it could not bail out people who did not pay their bills. That is the way it has come about. Of course I am sorry for the 40,000 subscribers but I cannot understand how the company found itself in hock to such an amount.

Senator Finucane agrees with Senator Leyden on the question of Eircom, but he should note that even if Eircom were a State monopoly, it could not afford to have huge sums of money owed to it and then do a bailing-out job. I hope Eircom will be able to come to some agreement with Smart Telecom on staged payments of the money owed by the latter. This would seem to be the best approach.

Senator White called for a debate on ageing and asked that we copy the British legislation. I will allude to this when dealing with Senator Quinn's comments.

Senator Norris referred to the Civil Partnership Bill 2004 and called for a debate on the Middle East, the CIA and the flights from Shannon. He referred to the admission by President Bush that the level of torture has increased. It appears the US Administration is to reinterpret the Geneva Convention and it is amazing that it would put its own interpretation on it.

Senator Dooley raised the issue of Smart Telecom and countered Senator Norris's views on the misuse of Shannon Airport. He does not like the misuse of the term "Shannon Airport" and therefore raised the issue.

Senator Ulick Burke referred to the cancellation of operations in University Hospital Galway. We are endeavouring to have a debate on health and I hope we will be able to have it next week. The Senator more or less said these beds are used as the saviour when the accident and emergency crisis arises and he called for nursing and back-up staff to allow them to be put back into use.

Senator Maurice Hayes referred to ageing. Senator Quinn referred to legislation enacted in this country in 1999 which outlawed any discrimination on the basis of age. This is not interpreted very positively and Senator White is right in this regard. Many cases arise as a result. It is a nebulous legal area and if one goes for an interview, it is very difficult to say one was not taken on because of a certain remark, implication or thinking about one's age.