Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

When one sees pictures of him now and remembers him as he was, it is difficult not to feel sorry for him.

Senator Mansergh said BUPA Ireland subscribers would be pleased with Quinn Direct's application. I agree with his suggestion that rail transport should be used for freight. He commented also on the CAO matter.

Senator Coonan spoke about gardaí knocking on the door of a woman with five children who had not paid a fine and suggested there should be a better way of dealing with unpaid fines. Senator Brian Hayes raised the same issue before Christmas. I agree we should find a better way. Perhaps staggered fine payments would be a way of dealing with the issue. The Senator also suggested it is no wonder young people are cynical when they have to face situations like the CAO applications process. He asked who was in charge. The CAO was set up by legislation as an independent body. If the Minister decided to run it in an ultra vires manner, she would be declared ultra vires. One cannot set up an independent body and then decide to run it oneself or that the Government should run it. No matter what merit is in that suggestion, it is not possible.