Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, spoke about rape and sexual assault treatment units. There are four such units in Ireland at present. A report last year recommended that two further units should be developed, in the midlands and in Galway. We need to put in place a network of services to assist people who have been sexually abused or raped. Such people should be able to make their way to these facilities to make their cases and to get ready for the courts. I understand that it is a matter for the Health Service Executive. I agree with Senator Hayes. I am familiar with the figure of €2.8 million that was mentioned by the Senator. The current range of services could be upgraded and the two new facilities which are needed could be developed if €3 million were made available. I will raise this important matter in another context. I appreciate Senator Hayes's decision to raise it in the House. Issues of this nature tend to disappear from the public headlines from time to time, until horrific cases arise. It is important we ascertain the current position in this regard.

Senator Brian Hayes also spoke about the manner in which various political parties took different paths about a certain issue in the 1980s. While I agree with him that we should provide for regulations in respect of assisted human reproduction, it would be difficult to formulate such regulations. In vitro fertilisation, which has given hope to many people, has produced some great results. People sometimes tell me that in vitro fertilisation worked successfully for them and that their lives are much happier as a consequence. There are dangers if it is not regulated, however. I agree with Senator O'Toole's comment that the High Court case came to "a very sensible conclusion" this week. I do not think the Supreme Court will change the decision. The High Court came to a satisfactory conclusion on the matter. We will have to wait to see whether the decision will be appealed. Senator Ryan said there is room for exploitation as a result of the vacuum that has been created in this regard. If we do not regulate this area, unscrupulous people might move in to purchase a very valuable commodity. We do not know what they would do with it. It is important the Government should get working on this matter. As in all matters relating to sex, conception and reproduction, the road will not be easily marked out and not everyone will agree with the conclusions reached. We can expect a repeat of the level of declamation, etc., which we encountered on the last occasion.

Senator O'Toole asked for a full debate on nursing homes next week. While we would like to provide for such a debate, we cannot get a grip on the issue at present because the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, who is responsible for the care of the elderly, is on business in Iceland. We have made it clear that such a debate is needed.

Senator Ryan spoke about the two ends of life. It is dramatic that we are talking about the care of the elderly and, in the case of embryonic research, the care of the very young. He said that there is no legal regime and that it must be regulated. The nursing home which opened only last year now seems to be in trouble. Senator O'Toole made the point that they can supposedly care for those they have but they cannot open their doors to any more people, which is something of a contradiction. If they can adequately care for those they have, then I do not know. There are many questions to which we want answers.

Senator Ulick Burke brought up the matter of fee paying schools yesterday. Senator Ryan asked whether the fee paying schools which do not receive payments to teachers are open to the education audit. I do not know but I will inquire about it and get back to him.

Senator Mansergh stated that we should have a debate on the Estimates next week and I agree with that. Senator Bannon spoke about radon gas. Around ten years ago, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland gave a home assessment kit to everybody who wanted one. Many people availed of that offer. All new homes must be fitted with preventative measures and schools have also been methodically checked. However, that leaves those houses that are not new and the Senator wants a debate on the matter. He also wants a debate on nursing homes. We all want that but it is fanciful to think that just because we are going to have a debate on this issue, the lot of many people will somehow improve. We will have a debate on the issue and it is a matter of getting the relevant Minister to come to the House.

Senator Daly called on the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to outline his proposals for rationalisation and reorganisation of local community supports, all of which are doing much good but some of which seem to overlap. The Minister is determined to carry out a re-organisation of those.

Senator Ross spoke about the American Chamber of Commerce which has suggested that US companies locate anywhere but Ireland because it is so difficult to get around. That is serious because its statements will go back to the US and influential business people will read them. However, they will also see that we have a good tax regime in this country and that their companies are well looked after. I agree with the Senator that the infrastructure issue is a serious matter for this country.

Senator Ó Murchú spoke about cosmetic surgery and about surgery for young people from underdeveloped countries whose faces were scarred by malignant tumours. Both he and Senator Ryan pointed out that the door is now open for experimentation. He said that in this House pro-life debates were well conducted. It is all about tolerance as people have different points of view and it is right that we should listen to them. Senator Hanafin called for legislation on the elderly and for legislation on embryonic research.

Senator Henry spoke about a lack of debate on sexual assault units and would like to see more of them put in place. She welcomed the judgment in the courts about those young children who may now stay. I hope that decision will be implemented.

Senator Kitt also spoke about radon gas. He essentially wanted to talk about rural transport. The initiative about which he spoke could be the key to the problem whereby many people in rural Ireland cannot move out of their homes in the late evening. Of all the things I did in political life, the rural transport initiative was one of the best. It was really good because I thought of it myself. The idea did not come to me from the Civil Service.