John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I concur with previous speakers who expressed concerns about the threat of legal costs being awarded against victims of abuse and the implications for boards of management. I have been a member of my local board of management for the past four years and am aware of the voluntary efforts made by many of the people involved. If the issue is not resolved, a serious problem will arise when boards of national schools are reconstituted next year in regard to persuading people to take up positions.

I am not surprised by the comments I read in today's newspapers. Senator Tuffy referred to my constituency colleague, Deputy McGuinness, who is a frequent critic of the Government despite never having taken the opportunity to vote against it on any issue. I share the concerns held by many others in regard to handing over public grounds for private hospitals. Yesterday, the Minister for Health and Children appeared on the radio in my region to explain the benefits of handing over a site on the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital and was asked the number of beds which would be released in the hospital. Even though a site worth many millions of euro is to be handed over to private individuals, only 70 beds would be released. It is a shocking decision and I hope the contracts will not be signed before the election. I know they will not be signed after the election, when a new Government and Minister will be in office.

I missed Tuesday's Order of Business, during which the ongoing difficulties in Zimbabwe were raised. We should have a discussion as soon as possible on the continuing deterioration in that country's political situation. Strong links have been built between Ireland and Zimbabwe, particularly in the area of agriculture, and I was recently contacted by several people who spent lengthy periods of time there. It is a shocking example of a country which was financially sound and doing very well only to fall to pieces over the past couple of years due to bad governance. We should not allow the situation to continue without at least having an earnest discussion which would allow us to air our points of view of thedebacle.

This week, the Taoiseach made several comments regarding voting. I was appalled by the comments of the Taoiseach yesterday when he said he intended to hold the next general election on a Thursday. That is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise many thousands of students. Regardless of the exact date of the election, third level students are likely to be doing examinations. If Dubliners want to leave the city on a Friday evening, they can do so because they can make arrangements to vote earlier in the day. The past two elections were held on a Friday. This is a deliberate attempt by the Government to remove a significant number who would automatically be inclined to vote against it. High turnouts traditionally favour the Opposition, regardless ofthe jurisdiction or which parties are in government.