Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes need not fear that the issue he raised was parochial. It became a national issue, as reported by RTE. We all know someone caught in the gridlock for four hours because of a hole in the road. Senator Hayes asked about legislation for the Dublin transport authority. I will make inquiries. The Senator also asked why work cannot be done on roads 24 hours a day. We see work carried out on many roads at night. The spokesperson on the radio this morning said it was often unsafe to work at night despite using searchlights and other apparatus. It should certainly be done at weekends but I do not know if it is feasible to work through the night. Sometimes the weather is so foul it cannot be done.

Senator Hayes also asked about Dungarvan District Court and whether amending legislation is needed. It seems it is necessary but I will check. The charge was dismissed when the original copy of the offence notice could not be produced. This sounds so futile a reason that I find it difficult to understand.

Senator O'Toole referred to autism and how it was dealt with by the appointment of SNAs. The dyslexia matter seemed a contrary issue but the idea of another court case, which may rule in favour of the Department, seems crass. I hope the appeal does not go ahead. There is an ingrained approach in the Civil Service that when one loses a court case it is automatically appealed to a higher level. Expensive barristers and solicitors are hired.