Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

She referred to the significant improvement in maternity payments, such as the extra month, and so on. We debated the improvements in the House. While there is sometimes another point of view on the Senator's spirit, I like it. She contributed to today's debate in a fine way.

Senator Quinn referred to steps taken by a community in County Meath and referred to it as active citizenship, which echoed Senator Ormonde's comments, namely, to give back what was given. He also referred to the charity tax reform group and road deaths. Driving a car without insurance is a big no-no. In Sweden, the car in question would be impounded immediately, which should be the case everywhere.

Senator Fitzgerald, our spokesperson on education, referred to special education needs under the framework school completion programme, which is to be examined.

Senator Coghlan raised an important matter concerning local pubs in that one closes per day in rural Ireland.