Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Norris raised an important point about Ms Adi Roche's appointment as an intermediary, with the work she is doing in Chernobyl, and that the visa waiver scheme would be revisited and brought back. The host parents now have to travel to make the arrangements in Moscow and there is an expense involved. That is a point I would raise myself, as we have a very active Chernobyl parents group within Athlone. That must be important.

The Senator also noted that Dr. Roderick O'Sullivan knew what was going to happen in the Corrib. The Senator praised Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, for going to Syria, although we heard this morning on the radio that she has been castigated for it.

Senator Hanafin took issue with the fact that there has been a refusal to have God referred to in the proposed EU constitution, especially considering the historical implications of Christianity within Europe so many centuries ago. He also reiterated the State support for partnership as a representative of ICTU, which was important.

Senator McHugh spoke about the nursing dispute. He also mentioned the sophisticated electorate, which we know is out there ready to meet us, and how we need an inclusive society which takes into account children's special needs. He argued that we should keep that on the educational agenda.

We should have a debate on autism. Dyspraxia and others are all ailments of a particular spectrum of educational disadvantage, and we should have a debate on the matter.

The Senator also mentioned postal voting and voting on a Thursday. I raised the matter at last night's meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party because many young people I have met said they will not be able to vote if the election is on a Thursday. I hope there will be a change.