Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I support Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú in his promotion of the concept of the Seanad playing a larger part in regard to Northern Ireland, whether by way of debate, as in the past, or in the manner which the Senator and, I believe, Senator O'Toole proposed. There is a danger that we will accept peace in Northern Ireland without recognition of the horrors which took place over the years. We can help in some way.

There was criticism in recent days of Denis Bradley and Archbishop Eames because they proposed that money should be paid to all those families which suffered during the difficulties in Northern Ireland, even those who were responsible for planting bombs and for creating some of that horror on both sides. It is very easy for us to criticise decisions such as that but these two men have thought this through and have come up with what they believe is a solution. That would be worthy of discussion but Northern Ireland should be on our agenda more regularly.

My postman reminded me the other day that An Post is 25 years old this month. I have not seen any sign of celebration but at an Oireachtas committee the other day, a member said he or she did not want any more e-mails while another said he or she gets so many e-mails that he or she does not give them the attention they deserve and that if he or she wants to get attention, he or she sends a fax. Another member said that if he or she really wants to get attention, he or she sends a letter. The handwritten letters I receive get much more attention.

We should ensure we continue to use An Post to maintain a healthy postal service in Ireland. One area in which we can help to do so is to concentrate on handwriting in primary school. I see my grandchildren here pay a little less attention to handwriting. I have grandchildren in school in France and the attention given to handwriting at primary school there is so much better than it seems in Ireland. In the long term, the ability to write letters by hand is essential if we are to have a thriving postal service in the future. Let us ensure we recognise the benefit of handwritten letters rather than just electronically delivered mail.