Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

If the Senator is half as successful as the former Taoiseach in getting himself elected he certainly will have a shining example of everything that is good about community involvement. The Special Olympics helped relaunch the notion of volunteerism and encouraged people to take up voluntary work in communities. The inclement weather of the past two months also brought many people back to the spirit of community in parish and social centres. Everyone had to go out and help his or her neighbour and long may this continue in Ireland. I support Senator Cannon's request for a debate.

Senator McDonald asked for a debate on women in politics and I have no difficulty in arranging it. I will endeavour to have the debate in February. Senator Callely expressed his serious concerns about maternity services in Dublin hospitals. I was not aware of the situation but I will pass his views to the Minister for Health and Children after the Order of Business. He referred to Irish aid agencies in Haiti and to the number of trained personnel who wish to travel to Haiti to play their part. He called for a co-ordinated response unit to support those personnel who wish to go there. I will pass his views to the Minister for Foreign Affairs after the Order of Business.