Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Anyone I appointed was full of merit. They were bursting with it.

Senator Maurice Hayes wondered whether language therapists could have a trainees or apprenticeship stage before they become fully appointed. What a good idea. He also brought up the issue, which other speakers did afterwards, of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. He supports the cap on numbers in the public service. However, he believes a method should be found to steer a way to providing the numbers required in sensitive areas while still keeping faith with the cap.

Senator Norris also raised the issue of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and business standards. He raised the matter of No. 13 on the Order Paper and welcomed this morning's statement by the clergy which more or less echoed what he stated in the motion on the Seanad Order Paper about human rights. He also raised the issue of the 14 year old boy and stated he showed dignity and composure in his dealing with the matter.

Senator White certainly has petrol stations on her mind. I understand what she is talking about because she spoke to me before she came into the House. She knows they are owned privately and nobody can snap them up or rob people of them. However, in her view the planning authorities do not debate properly what should be in an area. Seven petrol stations along her route have closed.

Senator O'Meara raised the alleged incident involving the 14 year old boy. She also suggested Internet training courses for parents. One can imagine a young person with all this knowledge and discovery at his fingertips on the Internet and having a natural curiosity.