Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Every Senator shares Senator MacSharry's desire to have a debate on the budget and I am sure the Leader will endeavour to facilitate it as soon as we return. One of the problems with debating the budget is the flying of kites between Government parties. The matter of who is saying what to whom becomes tedious.

I welcome the prompt response of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,, Deputy Rabbitte, in respect of the matters raised about pornography on the Internet. It is good to hear him saying he welcomes the remarks made by the ISPCC. We could have a debate about how the Internet has changed our lives, the lives of our children and the vulnerability of those children to things on the Internet.

It is interesting to observe that the Russians have invested thousands of dollars buying typewriters because they have realised the Internet is no longer a safe place to do secret business. They have gone back to the old ways of using typewriters and papers to ensure some level of secrecy is kept. Perhaps there is something in that for the rest of us.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome the royal baby. It raises a matter discussed here recently, paternity leave. In the modern age, it is important paternity leave is something we discuss again and that we insist on. Under the modern monarchy in the UK, Prince William will have paternity leave from the RAF to spend time with his wife and their son. I am sure we all wish them well.

I welcome Senator Hildegarde Naughton. Most Senators did that yesterday and I personally extend my warm wishes to her. The rules of this classroom are rather different from the ones she is familiar with. She may bring some of her rules and discipline to bear on this House and that would be welcome.