Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

——but not quite as long as Senator Ross. There are five glorious weeks in the difference. What one learned in those five weeks is immeasurable and the House can benefit from it.

Senators Leyden, Daly, Coffey and Coghlan requested that the Minister for Transport come before the House to discuss the creation of a level playing field in respect of the proposed €10 and €2 airport departure charges. I have no difficulty in arranging a debate on this matter and after the Order of Business I will request the Minister's office to indicate a date on which he might attend.

Senator Coffey is a strong voice for the people in his area and I have always respected him as such. There is no good reason the storage of the electronic voting machines should cost the State anything. Why are they not placed in the control of the Army and deposited in high-security areas?