Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on the national pensions reserve fund. The fund was an enlightened initiative which afforded no political advantage to the Minister at the time. It recognised the changing demographics which there will be a continuing need to address.

I would be very concerned if funding for this were abandoned. It could be funded at a lower level. I agree with Senator O'Toole that a debate might encompass how we could use the fund productively in much needed infrastructure, such as roads and public transport which would yield a payback.

The example of National Toll Roads shows this would be a prudent investment because it is making at least high double figures in its internal rate of returns on the small sum invested in the Westlink toll bridge. We also need to consider the traffic congestion that bridge is causing. We asked before for a debate specifically on that bottleneck which is a cash cow for National Toll Roads.

Will the Leader arrange a debate before Easter on the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings? In particular, we need to discuss the failure of the British authorities to co-operate with the inquiry, highlighted in that report. This underlines the criticism made by Mr. Justice Barron, who chaired that inquiry. The Oireachtas committee's report illustrates that failure as a significant breach of the Good Friday Agreement. This House should address this urgently.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The time for the Order of Business has expired but three Senators are offering to speak. I will accommodate them but ask them to be brief.

Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)
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Together with Senators Mooney and Leyden, I have asked that we debate the issue of Irish people living and working illegally in the United States. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs held a most productive meeting yesterday with the US ambassador. He gave strong indications of the Bush Administration's constructive proposals on immigration. It is important nationally, and at a European level, that we are seen to support and push these proposals forward. It would be helpful to debate the issue here.

Reference was made this morning to an airline the name of which we dare not mention. The most noteworthy issue concerning that company this week is one the House should note with great satisfaction, namely, that early indications show the company has booked 200,000 passengers to fly out of Shannon Airport. We should comment on and praise that sort of enterprise and initiative. It will transform Shannon and the western region. I welcome the progress made in that regard.

Joanna Tuffy (Labour)
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The Labour Party was the first to propose that a portion of the pensions reserve fund be used to invest in infrastructural projects and I am pleased to see that Fianna Fáil is coming round to our way of thinking.

Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on the western rail corridor, especially given the many flawed reports which overestimated the amount of funding needed for that corridor. I welcome his commitment to the western rail corridor and look forward to funding being advanced as soon as possible.

Senator Mooney raised the issue of teenage drinking. Maybe we should debate this again. The problem has been debated many times and much has been done, for example, legislation has been introduced that results in the closure of many pubs and off-licence, sometimes for weeks, for serving drink to teenagers. No Name clubs have been reintroduced. Groups such as Barnardos asked politicians such as myself to sign a pledge not to be seen in public with an alcoholic drink, and I was proud and happy to oblige them. This has been a good stance. Perhaps there should be a debate in this House to try to ensure that under-age drinking is curbed.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Finucane raised the inadequacy of the helpline for queries on long-stay residential care and the paucity of staffing. It was his experience and he is correct to raise the issue here.

David Norris (Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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My worry is that if people do not get satisfaction through the helpline, they will go to solicitors — I do not mean every solicitor — who set themselves up as their saviours but who take a lot of money from them. The Senator also raised the matter of Intel. George Lee, who is not generally positive about politicians-——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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We cannot comment on him.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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——was very positive this morning and gave a very instructive commentary on the whole matter.

I agree with Senator O'Toole who asked for a debate on the western rail corridor when the report is published. He said the recommendations should be implemented quickly as it is in the BMW region and it has North-South implications. He also referred to the national pensions reserve fund and said that he listened to what the Taoiseach said. The fund, which has been up and running for a few years, is worthy of debate. We need to get an up-to-date picture of the fund and a likely estimate for the future.

Senator McCarthy referred to the double social welfare payments. The sum of €10 for 40,000 people is a fair amount of money. I got a letter yesterday on the issue. I will make inquiries on the matter and get back to the Senator. He also referred to the report on the McCabe murder and Castlerea Prison. The Taoiseach answered that query yesterday in the other House. He was adamant about the matter. The Senator also referred to a man and an airline about which we cannot speak.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The airline can be referred to.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator made the point that consumer law applies here as well as in the UK, and that any misdemeanours should be followed up here, which I hope will be the case.

Senator Mooney asked for a debate on the crisis point under-age drinking has reached. Senator Ulick Burke referred to the Disability Bill, about which he is correct. It was withdrawn almost three years ago and produced again. As it was being processed, it was worked through with a consultative group. It appeared to be progressing satisfactorily when suddenly the temperature changed. The Senator also spoke of the family in Meath, by which we were all touched. To have four offspring who suffer from autism is a huge burden for any family. The Senator said the family should be visited by someone who can give them direct help.

Senator Scanlon referred to the western rail corridor, which is of great interest to him and his neighbourhood. Senator Norris referred to an Army pensioner whom I heard speaking very positively about the Senator on Joe Duffy's "Liveline". He said the Senator is a wonderful person who replied to his letter and so on. The Senator raised the question of a pension anomaly of a long-serving Army man. He also referred to Intel. He said that the company is not competing against an accession country or any country already in Europe, but that it was competing with the wider world, which is a fair point. Intel has assured the public, particularly the public in Leixlip, that it will continue with its investment.

Senator Dooley raised the issue of the western rail corridor. Senator Bannon raised the matter of the helpline. He called for the Minister for Health and Children to come to this House to debate the matter. He is seeking a league table on the behaviour of officials, not members, of local authorities. That is quite daring but it would be very good if it happened.

Senator Leyden also spoke on this issue. He must have some great alchemy which allows him to get through, which he did. He laid his experience before us, which is fair enough. He called for the Tánaiste to come to the House to debate the matter.

Senator Ross asked for a debate on Intel and the RTE licence fee, which it is said has no competitive element. Senator Walsh asked for a debate on the national pensions reserve fund and the Barron report. It is alleged that the British Government has failed to come forward with evidence which would help the compilation of the report. The Taoiseach's office is to come back to me on the matter.

Senator Bradford referred to the issue of illegal immigrants in the US and asked what can be done about it following the meeting yesterday. He also referred to a certain airline and said that we should become a cheer group for it. The Senator can count me out of the chorus line.

Senator Tuffy raised the issue of the Labour Party proposal to take a percentage of the national pensions reserve fund for infrastructural projects. The fund was the idea of the former Minister for Finance, Mr. McCreevy.

Senator Feighan welcomed the Taoiseach's support for the western rail corridor. He also referred to under-age drinking and the Barnardos pledge. I did not sign that pledge because one could be attending a meeting in a pub and have a glass of water in one's hand. How can one say one would never be photographed in a pub with a glass in one's hand?

Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
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It would be very helpful to me. I will speak for myself.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I am entitled to my view if the Senator is entitled to his. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Senators:

Hear, hear.