Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ó Murchú raised the issue of FÁS training, particularly the social needs of the participants. He described a participant who did not have a job and was then employed by FÁS. He now wakes up with something to go to, and can wash, shave and dress and then go. The man stated it was like coming to paradise. I understand how he would feel.

Senator Coonan supports what Senator Brian Hayes stated about speech therapists. He also wants a debate on the obvious disparity of speed limits. He also called for a debate on the lack of planners. Planners come and go. They bring in a wave of new ideology such as one can only have a single storey house. However, when one seeks them they are gone. The file is then dumped on another planner who may not have the same type of planning ideology. We have vacancies for planners in Westmeath. We should have a debate on planning when these issues could be raised.