Seanad debates
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Order of Business
2:30 pm
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, Consumer Protection Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business until 6.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 15 minutes each, those of other Senators not to exceed ten minutes each and the Minister to be called upon to reply no later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage; No. 2, Defence (Amendment) No. 2 Bill 2006 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 6.30 p.m. and to conclude no later than 8.30 p.m., with the contributions of spokespersons not to exceed 12 minutes each, those of other Senators not to exceed eight minutes each and the Minister to be called upon to reply no later than ten minutes before the conclusion of Second Stage.
Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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We accept today's Order of Business as proposed by the Leader.
Will the Leader ask her colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, to come to the House and set out in clear, unambiguous terms what is the response of the Department of Health and Children to the incidence of the MRSA bug in our hospitals? I make this request in the context of yesterday's statement by a senior microbiologist who was giving evidence at an inquest in Dublin that "MRSA is endemic in every Irish hospital". There is genuine public concern on this matter and people are frightened to go to hospitals, many of which leave much to be desired in terms of hygiene. Crowds of people pass through the facilities every day.
The Government can surely put in place a screening programme which would identify and monitor the particular virulent strain of MRSA of which some people are carriers, irrespective of the community strain to which this microbiologist referred yesterday. This is a serious issue of public concern. The Minister for Health and Children has raised the matter and has put a programme in place. Clearly, however, we are not winning the war on infection. In the context of the microbiologist's remarks, especially his contention that this particular strain of MRSA is spilling out into nursing homes, I call for a debate as soon as possible to hear what progress, if any, is being made by the Government in tackling this problem.
Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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Tuairim agus mí ó shin, d'eisigh an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta foilseachán nua le 10 bunriail chun an Ghaoluinn a chur chun cinn. Ba mhaith an rud é dá mbeadh díospóireacht orthu siúd anseo. Tá siad an-réasúnta agus an-phraiticiúil, which is surprising, coming as they do from that Department, agus ba mhaith an rud é dá bpléifí anseo iad. Bheadh seans ag an Aire iad a chur faoi bhráid an Tí chun iad a léiriú agus a mhíniú dúinn. Phléigh muid rudaí eile a raibh baint acu le cur chun cinn na Gaoluinne i rith na bliana seo caite, agus ba mhaith an rud é if we could pick up on all those issues relating to supports for the development of the Irish language. The Leader indicated at one stage that such a debate might be useful. I would appreciate if time could be allocated for such a discussion.
On at least three occasions during the last term, Members on all sides of the House raised the issue of mandatory sentencing, and the Leader indicated that she might consider a debate on that matter. I have expressed my view in this House on the constitutionality of mandatory sentencing. There is a general view that the Judiciary is not imposing the mandatory sentences decided by the Oireachtas. The only mandatory sentence that is always put in place is the life sentence for murder.
Does it strike anybody else as strange that it is we, as Members of the Oireachtas, who are responsible for striking down sentences and facilitating early releases? We have retained the situation where the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform can reduce the term of a life sentence. Moreover, we all know a life sentence does not equate to a life sentence in reality. The only reason this is so is that we, as politicians, intervene in these matters. We must remind ourselves of this reality when we discuss mandatory sentencing. Members of the Oireachtas are doing exactly what we insist the Judiciary should not, that is, interfering in mandatory sentencing.
I bring this to the attention of the House in the context of the document we received this week from a former Senator, Dr. Maurice Manning, president of the Human Rights Commission. This document deals with the determination of mandatory sentencing and makes clear reference to the separation of powers. There is now a fresh reason that we should consider this matter. We politicians continue to insist that the legislation we agreed on mandatory sentencing is not being implemented by others. There is now a clear indication, however, that such sentences may not be in agreement with the Constitution, as is my view, and may also not comply with European human rights legislation. It is crucial that we debate this matter during this session to consider our position and how we wish the system to work.
Michael McCarthy (Labour)
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I agree with Senator Brian Hayes on the issue of MRSA infection. Reports in today's media relate that the consultant microbiologist to whom Senator Hayes referred claims that 30% of people now carry the MRSA bacteria but that it is a hospital-acquired infection. It is clear that adequate steps are not being taken to ensure people do not contract this deadly virus and die as a result. People have presented at hospitals, received whatever treatment they required and while the procedures they received were successful, they have died from MRSA. That is totally unacceptable. People are afraid to go to hospital in case they contract MRSA. It is endemic in every hospital in the country and it goes back to the issue of hospital hygiene. The Minister needs to look at who carries out that work in hospital. Traditionally, the ward sister ensured hygiene standards were adhered to but now it is contract cleaners. In some hospitals in the Cork region, contract cleaners come in at 7 a.m. and are gone before 8 a.m. Can one honestly say that within that period of time sufficient work has been done to assure people and allay their fears that this type of bug or infection has been dealt with?
Given the current climate, I call on the Minister for Agriculture and Food to ensure there is no complacency in terms of how we respond to the outbreak of avian flu in the UK. We must not be complacent but we must also ensure consumer confidence in our industry is not affected and do everything we can so that we do not suffer the same fate as our counterparts in the UK.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I support the proposal by Senators Brian Hayes and McCarthy. MRSA is a major threat. We dealt with foot and mouth disease and prevented it from spreading throughout Ireland but we cannot solve the MRSA problem. Senator McCarthy is correct in this regard. I call on the Minister to make a statement to the House on this issue. People are terrified to go into hospital because they go in with one ailment and come out worse than they went in. I have met many people who went into hospital for hip operations and came out with MRSA, which is worse than the hip problem. It is a major threat.
We are concerned about avian flu and actions are being taken in that regard but MRSA is in our midst. It is being carried into hospitals. There is no control of hygiene or of visitors. People visiting very ill patients are bringing MRSA to hospitals but nobody is taking any action. The Minister will have to make a statement to the House in this regard.
My name and shame campaign should be reactivated because of Niamh——
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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It was more successful than Fine Gael's rip-off Ireland campaign, which is defunct.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should look at the website.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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I refer to the Statoil filling station on Usher's Quay. It is charging 36 cent——
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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It is not right to name a filling station. It is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should go down to Roscommon and name a few of them there.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Leyden cannot display documents.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator could make a general statement but it is not fair to name a particular filling station.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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The HSE and the Garda Síochána are paying 36 cent per litre more for petrol in a station in Dublin than they would a few miles away on the other side of the city. This is a rip-off of the HSE and the Garda Síochána.
Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)
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Niamh Horan of the Sunday Independent raised the issue last Sunday, the 4 February, and I commend her for so doing. I recommend that Fine Gael reactivate its rip off Ireland campaign again.
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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In 2002 the Government in its programme for Government declared that no child under nine years of age would be in a class of more than 20 pupils yet, tragically, 25% of children are in classes of 30 plus. Some 50% of children are in classes of 20 to 29 children and 85% of children in national schools are in classes with pupil numbers greater than they were in 2002. The Minister declared that she has revolutionised education. All the measures she has taken have cost nothing. This is one proposal which would have cost money and the Minister has failed to deliver. As with Senator Leyden a few moments ago, I am sure Members will hear promises again as to what will be done in the near future. However, in this instance this constitutes failure.
A survey of 220 schools last November indicated clearly that despite the small increase in capitation grants, half of the schools in question are obliged to raise 50% of their running costs. At present, we have cut price education and in many primary schools, parents and teachers are obliged to make substantial fundraising efforts to provide for the bare running costs. The Minister for Education and Science should come before the House to indicate clearly whether she has a plan to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools and what action she has taken this regard. Members have learned of the welcome appointment of special education teachers. However, classes have become larger and the students in such classes who need special education attention do not receive it. This is the problem and the Leader should ask the Minister to come before the House as a matter of urgency to indicate her plans for the future.
Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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While joining with other Members to express concern about the spread of avian flu and bearing in mind the possible restart of the World Trade Organisation negotiations following various private discussions at Davos involving Commissioner Mandelson, it is vital to have an effective and vigilant Minister and Department for Agriculture and Food, as we do. Consequently, I am highly concerned by comments made by a handful of influential people in the media suggesting that agriculture does not really matter any more in an Irish context. For example, last Saturday's issue of The Irish Times suggested there was no longer any justification for agriculture having a separate Department or ministry. I completely reject such thinking and do not believe that any Government, or whatever composition, would fail to appoint a Minister with responsibility for agriculture, as its popularity would plummet forthwith if it did so.
On the subject of agriculture, I draw Members' attention to a subject on which they might hold a debate. I refer to a report all Members will have received from the Trinity Development Initiative at the Institute for International Integration Studies, which has been conducting a two-year study on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The key finding is that the benefits from reform would be highly skewed and that most benefits would be captured by a relatively small group of competitive developing country exporters, such as Brazil and Argentina. As the really poor countries have preferential access to EU markets, such reform in developed countries might not bring significant gains to some of the world's poorest countries.
Voices in this House have argued that we need CAP reform for the benefit of the poorest countries. This study shows clearly that such reform would not be for their benefit and I ask Members to take note of this.
David Norris (Independent)
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I am glad Senator Mansergh has provided me once again with the opportunity to partly disagree with him. While I am in favour of CAP reform, the Senator is correct to state that agriculture is a very important element in Ireland and should continue to be so. On the other hand, I have no sympathy whatever for the proprietors of the Matthews factory farm. Such places are concentration camps for animals and are extremely dangerous. If we lose respect for other creatures on this planet, we quickly lose respect for ourselves and for our fellow humans. Avian flu spreads like wildfire and the virus is capable of mutating within these horrible places, in which hundreds of thousands of birds are stuffed. Yesterday, I mentioned this matter to my colleague, Senator Henry, who indicated that in some places the birds are so overfed their poor unfortunate legs cannot hold them up. Therefore, I have no sympathy for the Matthews company. Last April, employees were filmed playing bat and ball with live turkeys. There is no respect whatever.
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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He did not get the single payment yet.
3:00 pm
David Norris (Independent)
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I support Senator Mansergh's call for a debate on this matter. The unfortunate people with a good organic farm next door are the real victims. I have no sympathy whatever for the Matthews farm.
I have been reasonably patient on the matter of domestic partnership legislation. The Civil Partnership Bill 2004 replaced the 2003 Bill. An amendment was tabled in the name of the Leader which proposes delaying the Bill until further circumstances are met. These are the resolution of current litigation regarding the recognition of foreign same-sex marriage, the finalisation of the report of the All-party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution and the publication of the report of the Law Reform Commission on the rights and duties of cohabitees. All of these have been done.
I am fed up with this legislative constipation on the part of the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, and the Tánaiste. It is time for movement or to get off the pot. We waited long enough for this and people are tired of it. If they have any intention they should move on it now and the Bill before the House meets every requirement.
I support Senator Brian Hayes in his call for a debate on health. The MRSA situation is worrying. It is endemic. Yesterday, a radio report told of a woman who was so disgusted by the condition of the curtains around a relative's bed she took them home and washed them. Patients also have responsibilities. From contacts in the nursing business I know of patients in hospitals who do not observe high standards of cleanliness. Everybody ought to be aware this is an extremely dangerous bug.
Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)
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I join in the call for a debate on MRSA and other hospital-acquired bugs and viruses of which we hear. I bring to the notice of the House the fact that three wards closed in University College Hospital Galway because of such illnesses. More than one year ago, I gave to the HSE the names of products which could deal with these issues. However, I received no response from the HSE on whether the products are suitable. Surely those working in HSE laboratories have had enough time to find a solution to the issue. I suggest the use of these products is one way to deal with it.
Other Senators raised the issue of visiting hours in hospitals. People should co-operate with management. However, the HSE has the responsibility to state what action it proposes regarding disinfecting wards and hygiene in hospitals.
Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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When speaking about crime it is easy to blame the Judiciary, which is why I support Senator O'Toole. Politicians do not have a role after the Judiciary has made decisions. In this context, I remind the House of a time when most politicians were troubled by people with road fines and other such issues. They approached politicians to write to the Minister of the day to request him or her to examine the situation. Often, it took up to two or three years for it to be processed. The person involved could show the letter at the local Garda station as evidence of a petition to the Minister. A judge in the west did politicians a huge favour when he criticised those who got involved in such decisions. As a result, the then Minister for Justice, Deputy Geoghegan-Quinn, wrote to all politicians informing them that such an approach would no longer be countenanced. In unique situations the persons concerned could directly petition the Minister themselves. The Minister and the judge in question did us all a service on that occasion so I support Senator O'Toole's statement about our becoming involved in the decisions of the Judiciary. It is not right.
Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)
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I support the concerns expressed by colleagues over the MRSA bug. Infection control officers should be employed in all major hospitals but is that the case and, if it is, what is happening in that regard? The control and disposal of waste, especially human waste, have always been a nursing role, because of the high risk of infection. I also share the concerns expressed over visitors. I remember visitors to Mullingar General Hospital, now Mullingar Regional Hospital, being stopped at the door. If there were two or three visitors, only one would be allowed in at a time. What became of that prudent practice? It has regrettably been discontinued.
I realise that Chambers such as this are heat-generating but I hope corrective measures have been taken over the temperature in the House today, as it is somewhat lower than usual.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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Some time ago Independent Senators tabled a motion which was agreed by the House and which resulted in a commission on auctioneering being established.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Members may have heard what auctioneers are saying now.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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The commission reported approximately two years ago, following which legislation was supposed to be introduced. Can the Leader of the House say is the status of that legislation? What programme is proposed and will it be forthcoming before the Dáil is dissolved? Two current issues make that legislation urgent. One is yesterday's press report of a group of auctioneers announcing they intended to raise fees because house prices had plateaued. I never noticed them reducing fees when house prices rose.
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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Now that the Senator is a member of that profession, they probably will.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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Now that I am a member of the auctioneering profession, I offer my services to the nation at a reduced fee.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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No other Member of this House will do so.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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I am not opening for business for a month or two.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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That is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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The second point is important and also concerns auctioneers. The week before last a court found an auctioneering firm at fault for misdeclaring in its brochure the size of a commercial property, resulting in an award against the firm of €350,000. Its defence illustrates what a scourge auctioneers can be in this society. The company said it had included a get-out clause in the brochure stating that it was not responsible for anything incorrect shown therein. That is a ridiculous situation, meaning a firm of auctioneers can tell as many untruths as it likes as long as it puts a disclaimer at the bottom of its brochure. It is time for legislation to be introduced in this House to regulate this group of cowboys who have done such destruction to the housing market.
Maurice Hayes (Independent)
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I am sorry that I cannot offer Members a discount. I support the request for a debate on MRSA as a pressing issue, but I would like to widen the debate. The matter relates to cleanliness, not having matron figures in hospitals and the outsourcing of cleaning.
Maurice Hayes (Independent)
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This matter relates to the unfortunate animals and birds referred to by Senator Norris, which are so filled up with antibiotics that we are building resistances. An MRSA strain outside hospitals is being brought into them. We should take account of these facts.
James Bannon (Fine Gael)
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Alarm bells are ringing concerning climate change. We have one of the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions per head of population in the world, exceeded only by the US and Luxembourg. Action must be taken urgently. Our planet is being destroyed. A debate is needed and I call on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to address the House on this issue.
Next week, the EPA will produce a report that will damn the Government and our country because it will show that greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 25% since the 1990s. We should be the lead players in trying to establish a global treaty on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A small nation has a role to play. Given Ireland's size, a debate on the matter could lead to something significant.
John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)
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I would like to support the Senators who have called for some measure to be taken against filling stations that charge in excess of prices available elsewhere. One could rightly say that people have a choice in where they can shop, but the filling station in question has a prime location. It charges 38 cent per litre or €1.72 per gallon more than other filling stations. Per barrel, that is €103 or $170, almost three times the price of a barrel of oil.
The reason this is happening at that location is simple. If I was travelling from England to Ireland and wished to fill my car's tank, I would wait until reaching Dublin. Getting off an Irish Ferries ship, the first station one would come to if following a map or GPS to get outside Dublin would be one of the Republic's most expensive filling stations. One would pull in and be charged more than anywhere else in the locality. Should we re-examine the issue of a maximum prices order?
In fairness to auctioneers, one such agency paid out a hefty sum recently for misadvertising the amount of space available in a property in Gardiner Street, which it overstated by 1,800 ft. While the disclaimer in the small print stated that the agency was not responsible, the courts found otherwise and the agency paid out almost €300,000 plus costs.
Mary Henry (Independent)
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Like Senator Maurice Hayes, I would like to see the debate on MRSA widened, as the bug is a serious issue. While poor hygiene allows MRSA to spread, the issue is one of the overuse and abuse of antibiotics. This ties into the issue of factory farming, particularly in respect of poultry because the feed used contains substances called growth promoters, which are antibiotics. While they are not those given to humans, we must examine the issue in terms of the development of numerous human and animal resistant strains, not just resistant staphylococcus aureus. I would support a debate on the issue, but we must broaden it.
Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I am sure the Leader agrees the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Middle East last week was an outstanding success.
Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I am sure that visit was also an outstanding success and I am sure the Leader was there as well.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?
Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I apologise. I was slightly distracted by local electoral considerations. In light of the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Middle East, could we have an update from him on activities in the area? As we speak, it is hoped that Egypt is brokering an arrangement involving the two factions in Palestine to create a unity government. The Minister also met Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, which gives the lie to the perception in this country that Ireland is anti-Israel. This Government has taken an even-handed approach, as has been expounded in this House on all sides on numerous occasions. In light of the visit and ongoing political developments, it would be instructive for the House to be kept informed and engaged in the most important international issue facing us.
Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Mooney has just pre-empted me, I was going to ask the Leader for a debate on the Middle East in view of recent events. I second his request.
There was no MRSA in the hospitals when they were run by the nuns. That is the trouble.
Ann OrmondeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Senator but unfortunately the nuns are gone. Senator Brian Hayes asked for the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House for a debate on MRSA, which a consultant yesterday said is endemic in every Dublin hospital.
Michael McCarthy (Labour)
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He said it is endemic in every hospital in the country.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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It was an alarming statement. This is a virulent strain and it should be monitored. It is, as Senator Henry pointed out, about more than washing our hands as often as possible, although cleanliness is part of it. This week and next week we must deal with legislation, as was the case last week. We have a mountain of it. We will note this, however, and the Minister had promised to come to the House after Christmas.
Senator O'Toole called for a debate on the Irish language, with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs coming to the House to outline developments. He also mentioned the issue he has made his own, namely, mandatory sentencing, and asked why the Judiciary was not putting in place life sentences. The Senator pointed out that the situation had arisen because politicians were interfering. He also mentioned the salutary report from former Senator Maurice Manning and called for a debate on it.
Senator McCarthy said that people are afraid to go to hospital because of MRSA. That is true and we have all heard people saying they will not go to hospital when they are ill. The hospital in Mallow, the Senator's own area, received the top award for the second year running for a low instance of MRSA. The Senator also mentioned avian influenza, noting how we are coping with that but MRSA, another virulent bug, cannot be combated.
Senator Leyden also called for action on MRSA. He also raised the price of petrol in a particular service station, which charges 40 cent more than everyone else. It must not want any business, which I find very odd, because we all hunt for petrol at 96 cent and 97 cent a litre and usually we get it. Every petrol station is doing well because the price of oil is falling.
Senator Ulick Burke mentioned the pupil-teacher ratio. Does life ever change? This was an issue at the start of my political life.
Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is not an issue for this Government.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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As he noted, several pages are devoted to the issue today in a certain newspaper. The Minister for Education and Science appointed up to 500 special needs teachers on the premise that they were needed for those who were least academically inclined and required special help. I believe everybody is glad of that. Special needs assistants are available in every school for every child who needs them and special teachers are also employed, so we will hopefully be able to make progress on the pupil-teacher ratio. However, I receive letters which describe alarming class sizes. The conditions seem most harrowing, even when compared to my own time. We will endeavour to have the Minister come before the House to debate the issue.
Senator Mansergh referred to the reopening of the WTO talks and noted that some in the media claim agriculture no longer matters and that we should not have a separate ministry for it. That will not happen in Ireland, irrespective of who enters Government. The Senator also mentioned the report compiled by the Trinity development initiative at the IIIS, which suggests that CAP reform will not help smaller or poorer countries. That is amazing, given that everybody is of the opinion that reform will be of benefit to such countries.
Senator Norris raised the issue of the concentration camp-like conditions in which turkeys are being reared by a certain firm in the UK. The turkeys have become so plump through over-feeding that they cannot stand up. The Senator also inquired about the status of his Civil Partnership Bill 2004, which we will endeavour to determine. The Bill is not proposed to be taken in this House within the next few weeks and I have seen no sign of it.
David Norris (Independent)
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All the conditions proposed in the Leader's amendment have been met.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator also addressed the issue of MRSA.
Senator Kitt referred to the closure of three wards in University College Hospital, Galway, and the failure of the HSE to reply to the issues he has raised with it.
Senator Finucane raised the issue of fines. A fines Bill will be published within the next two weeks. The Senator also noted that a certain judge and Minister did everyone a service by making a decision about petitions to Ministers.
Senator Glynn stated that every hospital should have an infection control officer to deal with MRSA. He also noted that the control and disposal of waste was part of the practice of nursing staff.
Senator Shane Ross, or Seán de Rossa——
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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——referred to the commission on auctioneering and to plans by auctioneers to increase their fees because the price of houses has plateaued, despite the fact that their fees did not decrease while prices were rising. I found the auctioneers' claims to be humorous, although a Mr. Alan Cooke, who appeared on the radio at lunchtime yesterday, tried unsuccessfully to make sense of the issue. With regard to the auctioneer who was fined €300,000 for inaccurately describing the size of a building, pointing to the small print did not do any good in terms of avoiding penalties. I wish Senator Ross well in his auctioneering career.
Shane Ross (Independent)
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It will be a while before it starts but I thank the Leader nonetheless. I expect she will be my first customer when she retires.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I am not going to retire before the Senator.
Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader should reply to the Order of Business.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I would not give my business to Seán de Rossa. I deal locally.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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It is good to hear Senator Bannon's voice. I thought he had left us.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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We cannot find trace of him in counties Westmeath and Longford.
Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Visiting Castlepollard would do no good for him. The Senator sought a debate on climate change, which I would welcome. However, he should understand that we will be dealing with legislation over the forthcoming three weeks, so we will not be able to hold general debates. We will arrange to debate the issue when we have a lack of legislation.
Senator Hanafin spoke about a particular filling station. Perhaps it is time again to have a maximum prices order, which would stop such activity. Senator Henry spoke about the overuse of antibiotics, which clearly is one of the strongest factors in the spread of MRSA. Senator Mooney referred to the great success of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and requested that the Minister come to the Seanad to discuss the findings of his visit. Senator Mooney trumped Senator Lydon, but the latter still had his say on the matter and told us that hospitals have not been the same since the nuns departed, to which we say "hear, hear."