Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

She became worked up about it because of conviction. We will endeavour to arrange a debate. She said that pensions should be protected though I do not agree that everyone she named got it wrong. We have tried all morning to arrange a debate on Leas Cross for next week and we have also been trying to get the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, to come to the House to discuss pensions.

Senator Kitt raised the different rates of subvention between the east and west coasts. Senator Henry said private nursing homes were not the panacea we all thought they were. She wanted the report of the inspectorate, for which we keep asking. Senator Ormonde asked for a debate on pensions and raised the question of third level feeder schools. I agree that an effort is being made to audit those who send young people to colleges. A place in a third level institution is not the be-all and end-all of life.