Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Jim Walsh told the House of the Massachusetts committee, composed of lay people and legal officers, which has called to order those who have committed legal misdeeds. The Senator also referred to the report on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which is still under consideration. He asked if the matter could be debated in the House. I do not have autonomy of action on such matters. I would have to go back to the Taoiseach's office on a matter such as that.

Senator Coghlan referred to the psychological and psychiatric services. He also asked what Bills and debates would be taken next week. Last week my offices sent an e-mail to the various group leaders advising them of the Bills to be debated this week and next week. Perhaps the Senator could obtain this information from Senator Brian Hayes.

The business for next week is as follows. All Stages of the Appropriation Bill and the Social Welfare Bill will come before the House, and we must move the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill or there will be no money to run the Houses. We will also deal with Committee and Report Stages of the European Communities Bill; Second Stage (Resumed) and perhaps further Stages of the Defamation Bill; Report and Final Stages of the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill; and the Investment Funds, Companies and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill. It is hoped to give one hour to Senator Coghlan's Private Members' Bill next week, although I do yet have a time for that.

In January I will endeavour to take whatever other Private Members' Bills are on the Order Paper. I have put forward a Bill with regard to women who have been trafficked, which the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said he will take, and Senator Brian Hayes has put forward a Bill with regard to fines. We will try to get through Private Members' business systematically.

Senator Terry raised the issue of women who have been forced to give up work. She asked why they must wait until September for the scheme to begin and why it could not begin earlier, perhaps in April. I will put that question to the Minister. The Senator also asked about child care services. I recommend reading the Minister for Social and Family Affairs's excellent budget factsheet in which he has outlined comprehensive information with regard to children, carers and parents. Senator Hanafin wished to be associated with the call for a debate on the landmine issue.

Senator Bradford referred to decentralisation, which we discussed with the Minister earlier in this session. I am aware the Senator has European duties. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, addressed the issue briefly last night. The Senator is incorrect to suggest that the decentralisation programme has been entirely unsuccessful, as there have been significant successes in Tullamore, Athlone, Longford and Roscommon. Public servants are pouring into the areas to which jobs are being decentralised. While the programme may not be 100% successful, there is no point in denying that it has had some success. It was incorrect of Senator Bradford to suggest — I took down what he said — that the programme has gone "entirely off the rails".