Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

It is worth raising that point. The matter concerned a lady caring for two parents. The Senator also raised the issue of SNAs which is ready to explode. When a primary school employs an SNA, this is for a particular child who goes through the system. The same is the case at second level. The system is in place eight years now but SNAs do not have long-term contracts. SNAs are tied to the child in need and if the student leaves school and there is not another child in need of care, the SNA has no job. This is the difficulty with regard to giving shape or structure to salaries and appointment grades for SNAs.

Senator Mooney asked for debate on the trafficking of women. He said St. Patrick's Day celebrations this year would have a multicultural theme. He wants a debate on immigration.

Senator Quinn spoke about the book about the Celtic tiger written by Pádraic White and Ray McSharry and suggested it should be mandatory reading. He also sought a debate on competitiveness. He raised the matter of litter as a result of smoking outside premises and suggested people should clean up outside the front of their houses and premises. I remember when I attended primary school people, mostly women, were out with their scuab sweeping. People working in office complexes should take the same pride in their surroundings and keep themtidy.

Senator Daly raised a matter he mentioned yesterday and sought a review of disability legislation. He mentioned that many younger people are getting strokes and asked where they can go for rehabilitation because the waiting list for rehabilitation in Dún Laoghaire is huge. Senator Coghlan spoke about high prices and stealth taxes and seeks a debate on competitiveness.