Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I recently received a letter from a local man asking me to raise a sensitive issue in this House pertaining to organ donation. He has spoken to me eloquently on the matter since and describes the situation as, in many cases, burying life with death. Organ donation is a sensitive area, especially for those who have lost loved ones, but it is, nonetheless, an issue that must be dealt with. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, has been very generous with her time in this House but another visit to discuss this matter in an in-depth fashion could be very worthwhile. Proposals could come from all sides of the House and this would make for a pragmatic way of addressing the subject because the situation at the moment is unsatisfactory.

I strongly support Senator Hannigan in his call for a debate on An Bord Pleanála because the only way in which it is consistent is in its inconsistency. I was born, bred and reared in the country and we cannot all live in towns and cities. Rural areas must be taken into account because otherwise a nonsense is made of the concept of rural development which is driven by people. Without people there will be no schools. The Leader referred to a situation some years ago on Westmeath County Council that saw three parishes trying to create a team. This issue is not all about sport but the case given implies some of the difficulties that exist in the area of planning. Some of the decisions made by An Bord Pleanála in recent years were nonsense and have been addressed in a sensible way by the Rural Dwellers Association.

I raised the issue of housing estate management previously in this House and it must be revisited because it is not working. People are being driven out of their houses and are being advised by the Garda to leave. The offenders remain while those offended against must leave and this does not make for a good situation.