Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach, who in view of the day that is in it, allowed great leeway to Members to speak on the Northern peace process. In referring to the historic agreement yesterday, Senator Brian Hayes harked back to the Good Friday Agreement. He spoke about reconciliation between green and orange. He also made the point that there are more than just two parties in Northern Ireland. He referred to John Hume and many others who may have slipped our mind, in particular, the former US Senator George Mitchell, who was pivotal at extraordinary times in that process. We should salute him.

I am sure it affected us all in different ways. Senator Maurice Hayes referred to what a moving day it was. I sat and looked at the television and I am not ashamed to say I had tears in my eyes. I thought back to all that had happened and all of the people who were affected and the significant event that had just taken place. As I was on my own at the time, I was able to indulge myself. It was stirring and wonderful to see the two men side by side.

He also raised the carnage on the M7 and the M9. I was listening to the radio on the way here and I heard a woman speak who was in the car behind the last car that crashed. She described the speed at which the cars were travelling and that they did not have their lights on in the fog. We have great sympathy for those who were injured but we all have to take extra care.

On Senator O'Toole's remarks, I have one concern about the Northern process and that is that nothing untoward should happen in the next five weeks. Senator O'Toole is right. This achievement was delivered by politicians. We all talk about this, that and the other but very few people say politicians brought about this. If politicians had not shown leadership, the work we have seen would not have been done. I acknowledge that the civil servants and the Northern team were wonderful to all of those politicians but leadership had to be given and it was political leadership on the part of all parties from different countries at all times that brought about this achievement.

The Senator raised the matter of cancer care. If one thing is evident from the report he mentioned it is that centres of excellence are necessary because that is where the multi-disciplinary teams and all the experts can be located. It is at those centres that one can get the proper treatment. We all fight for cancer treatment services at particular hospitals and so on but we should provide those only in centres of excellence.

Senator Ryan said that politics works. He also spoke about the speed limit on our roads. People see the 120 km/h sign and seem to think they have to travel at that speed, which is not the case. The Senator was also concerned about the midwives in Cork and described what the Minister is alleged to have called them, which he said was an insult to the nurses. He said he hopes the new hospital opens under proper conditions.

Senator Dardis raised the events in the North and remembered the late Senator Gordon Wilson. He paid proper tribute to the Taoiseach and to the British Prime Minister. The intensity of effort and time put into the Northern peace process by both those men can never be underestimated. They are now discussing everyday matters. Perhaps that is what they will spend the next five weeks doing; I hope so.

The Senator also raised the issue of lit signs on motorways warning of potential dangers, which is a good idea. I am aware the National Roads Authority is working on such signs.

Senator Terry raised the issue of cancer treatment and said the chance of survival depends on where one lives. It depends on having proper centres of excellence where all treatment can be carried out on the one campus. It is vitally important that happens. She said that breast cancer screening is not available countrywide but that will be the case, and not before time.

The Senator mentioned the Taoiseach's speech on Saturday. I am glad she watched it. At least she was honest about it. I promise to watch Deputy Enda Kenny next Saturday——