Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We have a significant legislative programme and it will be the same for the next two weeks. I expect informed debate on all the issues.

Senator Norris said that yesterday he attended an excellent briefing by the HSE, at which people got answers. The issue of the equipment in the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk was raised and a proper reply was given. The hospital is awaiting the technical know-how to assemble the equipment which needs to be professionally done. He also asked why Cormac Rabbitte was not appointed head of the Railway Procurement Agency. He is a very fine person. I wish to pay tribute to the outgoing chairman of the Railway Procurement Agency, an excellent person, who is not unknown in this Chamber. He also asked for the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs to come to the House to speak about the rapid response corps.

Senator Hanafin spoke about rural transport. If I may say so, the rural transport initiative was launched by me. It was piloted in 32 areas and is now at full scale. The Senator requested a full debate on it. He also believes there should be low-alcohol alternatives to full-alcohol drinks. Senator John Paul Phelan spoke about fund raising in Dundalk for the CT scanner. Those people decided to do that.