Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Daly spoke about the difficulties at Aer Lingus and welcomed the Labour Court intervention. He asked whether the same could be done in Shannon where a crisis is clearly looming.

Senator Quinn raised the matter of speech, language and occupational therapies. He also advised us not to panic over the news from Japan and China about shares. The Senator referred to the matter of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. He stated we do not want to go too far in enforcing regulation on firms.

Senator Scanlon supports what Senator Brennan stated about firefighters and gardaí. Senator Browne raised the matter of the dearth of educational psychologists. He also raised the issue that FÁS employees are not on full stamps. He also spoke about rain barrels. I remember when I grew up everybody had a rain barrel out the back. One trapped the water which was supposed to be good for washing one's hair. My mother always stated so. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, will introduce a scheme for rain barrels for farm sheds and houses.

Senator Mansergh was in his Tipperary abú mood. He praised Senators Ó Murchú and Coonan. He also spoke about the flight of the earls in 1607, in which Senator McHugh has a great interest, and raised the matter in the House last year. Senator Mansergh spoke about John O'Leary who was also a Tipperary man. He is clearly imbued with constituency pride on this day.