Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I cannot hear what the Senator is saying, and I have quite good hearing.

The key to this motion lies in deciding how to get started, to settle on the format of the petitions committee. We talk about the disconnect between Europe and the public, but people perceive a disconnect between parliament and the public and Senator Kitt spoke evocatively on this point. Public representatives conduct clinics, collect representations, write to the housing office, the Health Service Executive and so on. They receive replies, pass them on, follow up on them and make related phone calls. I only realise now how much it entails. However, in a philosophical way, there is a disconnect between Parliament and the people.

Surely the Seanad can provide a forum in which this disconnect can be addressed, whether it be here or another location. We could advertise that the committee would visit certain places on certain days. This is a community matter, as Senator Kitt pointed out, where a group may decide to do something. For example, if public opinion rose up in response to a bank's earnings, the bank could reinvest some of its profits locally towards community service. The farmers of that area may have been prime customers for many years.

I approve of this idea and the Minister has spoken strongly in favour of it but it is important we decide how to give expression to it. I would like to start working on this matter, rather than continue talking about it. I would like it applied to the Aran Islands, for instance.

I always feel that Senator McHugh speaks authentically and he passionately gives vent to particular geographical ills. He approached the issue of cancer and women who could not travel from Donegal to Dublin in the same manner. This was also the case this morning on the subject of fishing ports and the quota system. That is an issue in which one could become deeply involved.

We must put some shape on this issue. The ideas are all in place as the Scottish Parliament has laid it out. The Minister has proposed the next meeting of the all party group for 18 October and the first item should be the setting up of a petitions committee and establishing its remit.

Senator O'Toole made a fair point on legislation. The five sectoral plans of the five Departments are going to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. I propose, instead of simply accepting this, we debate it when it comes back to this House. Prior to that we should meet the disability groups to hear what their input has been and how they feel the five sectoral plans for the five Departments will be implemented. Will they mean anything to such groups? If we owe any community groups we owe groups representing the disadvantaged and the disabled. We should get the report from the committee and invite group representatives to this House to hear what they have to say.

I am happy that the Seanad has heard many fine contributions to this debate. I look forward to us putting our foot on the ladder of radicalism which this initiative represents. The omens look good for Senator Tuffy in an electoral sense, though I know saying that usually spells doom. I do not mean to imply electoral doom for Senator Tuffy.