John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

That clarifies the matter. There have been problems in the past with recruiting people who have the expertise to draft Bills. The Senator has a point in that regard. The legislative process should not be delayed as a result of something like that.

Senator Browne also referred to the compensation to be given to beet growers. Yesterday the Minister said it is possible that the compensation scheme for salmon fishermen could be spread over three years. If there are tax implications for beet growers, that is something to be considered. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

The Senator also spoke about MRSA, which is a serious problem. A great deal of progress has been made in that regard. The Minister for Health and Children has been very active in trying to provide that standards are high enough to ensure that this problem can be minimised. We should bear in mind that the use of antibiotics is an aspect of this difficulty. I will speak to the Minister about the issue.

Senator Tuffy made an important point about the draft register of electors, which has been highlighted by many people. It has been suggested that when officials from Kildare County Council visited houses in my home county to try to bring the register there up to date, it had a hit rate of approximately 20%. That has serious implications for the state of the register. I understand that the draft register has been available since yesterday, or is about to be made available. That will tell a story about this serious matter. Some people who have been on the register of electors for many years have been removed from it. One of the most basic rights in society is that citizens who want to vote should be able to do so. We have to pay serious attention to that. We should seek to have a debate on the matter in the House.

Senator Coonan spoke about local hospitals. There is no contradiction in the reasonable point that is being made by the Minister in this regard. If we are to avail of the best technology and the best people, we have to have centres of excellence. That does not mean that local hospitals will be unable to continue to do the things they have traditionally done very well. That is the position of the Minister and the Government, as far as I am aware.