Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I support the call by Senators Brian Hayes and Dooley on the HSE to take action regarding vacancies for various therapists. This is an issue in the mid-west as well in Dublin. Under the previous health service regime, the Mid-Western Health Board established a course in conjunction with the University of Limerick to provide educational facilities so that people with disabilities in the region could qualify for assistance but the HSE in its wisdom differs on that. Since the HSE took over, the position has worsened. The precedent has been set and it would be worthwhile to pursue it.

I support yesterday's call by Senators for a debate on the comments of the chairman of the Road Safety Authority. He believes the Garda has lost the fight on drugs but I would like the debate extended to cover road safety. In particular, I would like to ask the chairman why the speed limit on the finest stretch of motorway in the State between Naas and Dublin on the M7 is 100 kph. Enforcement is like shooting fish in a barrel because the speed limit increases to 120 kph after Naas.