Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

It was unacceptable behaviour.

In a week in which the Saville report gave some solace to the people of Derry and there has been a partial lifting of the blockade of Gaza, I again ask the Leader to consider the report I did for the Council of Europe, which I did not get to discuss in Norway yesterday, as a starting point for looking at the image of the other. Ireland has learned lessons which it can bring to other areas of conflict. It is a year since that report was produced and it is no less relevant now than it was then. In the context of the image of the other, getting to know the other and considering how we will deal with issues such as 2016, it is important that we examine how we deal with the image of the other on the island of Ireland.

Second, I note that mobile telephone call and text roaming charges are to decrease again. I welcome that. However, I have previously raised the issue of all-Ireland telephone packages both in this House and with the telephone companies. When I told the companies I am a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly their attitude changed from "This is a technical impossibility" to "Well, actually, it is only a commercial decision". I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the House before the end of this session to find out what are the impediments to having an all-Ireland telephone package. When I am in my home, my telephone signal bounces into UK coverage because I live on the Border like Senator Wilson and other Senators. I am aware that many elements have changed in the telephone packages but, at present, if I have a certain number of telephone call minutes and text messages, those calls are not included in my package.

They are extra to my package only because I can not get a signal in my house and the stronger signal is a UK signal. There should be an all-island package. I am told that there is no technical reason why there cannot be one and it is a commercial decision, and the Minister could be brought in on this issue.