Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Feargal Quinn, Mary White and Camillus Glynn raised the issue of organ donor transplants. I will pass on the Senators' views to the Minister. Everyone should carry a donor card. We should all lead by example. I have a card in my other diary but if any of our organs can be used to benefit a future generation, why not be of assistance?

Senator Jim Walsh raised the Taoiseach's visit to Ballymena, which I covered yesterday. It is a step forward in the peace process. I will try to provide time for a debate during this session but this is a short one. We will have a debate on Northern Ireland at the earliest possible time. I hope to have the Taoiseach present to take the debate.

Senator Nicky McFadden raised the issue of the primary care unit in Athlone and the land that was purchased there a considerable time ago. I am aware of the Senator's plight and am doing everything I can in that regard. The health committee will meet the Health Service Executive and the pharmacy unions at 3 p.m. next Tuesday with the Minister present. That might be an ideal opportunity for the Senator to bring forward this issue but I will contact the Minister's office regarding her earlier request concerning Mullingar Hospital and the primary care unit in Athlone. I have no difficulty in allocating time in the diary for a debate on the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients.

Senator Ivor Callely spoke about the challenge in the pharmacy sector. That issue will be discussed at 3 p.m. next Tuesday in the health committee. Senator Callely also called on me to consider having a debate on the HSE meeting the requirements put on it when it was given responsibility for operating the health service. I have no difficulty in allocating time to discuss that, although the House will be heavily laden with legislation in the next four to five weeks. That is the reason the sittings are increasing to three days. A number of Bills will come to the House, including the Finance Bill, the Social Welfare Bill and two or three other major Bills.