I also wish to welcome Senator Norris back to the House. While he does not agree with everyone all of the time, he does tend to agree with some of us some of the time.

I second Senator MacSharry's amendment to the Order of Business. The new code of conduct to which he referred has been discussed in the House previously. It is a banker's charter to terrorise those whose mortgages are in arrears. The Minister for Justice and Equality attended the House when it debated the legislation on personal insolvency and he would not reveal to us the conversations he had with the banks. The latter's representatives engaged in meetings with officials from the Department of Finance and we asked him to provide the minutes taken at those meetings in order that we might discover what was asked of the banks. However, as Senator MacSharry pointed out, the Central Bank has rolled over and given way to the bankers. This will no doubt give rise to people losing their homes. Citizens already feel that they are being forced out by the banks.

I wish to request a debate on the ambulance service throughout the country and in my county, Kerry. The director of the national ambulance service, Mr. Robert Morton, has referred to strategic deployment of ambulances throughout the State. When he visited west Cork, Mr. Morton addressed a meeting and stated that ambulance services would be redeployed and would be repositioned in some areas and withdrawn from others. When it was pointed out to him that the withdrawal of ambulances from towns in west Cork would lead to people dying, he stated that this is the price those who live in the area must pay.

Did Mr. Morton say that? Will the Senator provide a reference for that statement?

An interesting headline relating to this matter appeared in The Kerryman, which declared "Cuts are just death by geography" and this is exactly what happens when one lives in a rural area. If Mr. Morton, who lives in a nice suburban home-----

The Senator should refrain from using people's names on the record of the House.

I thank the Cathaoirleach. If Mr. Morton, who lives in a nice suburban home in Dublin, was obliged to wait an hour and a half for an ambulance to arrive at his front door, I have no doubt that there would be an inquiry. If people in Dublin were obliged to wait two hours for the arrival of ambulances, it would be declared a national scandal and RTE would highlight the matter on its news programmes.

The Senator is way over time.

When something of this nature happens in rural areas, nothing is said. According to the director of the national ambulance service, that is the price those who live in such areas must pay.

It is good to see Senator Norris back in the House and in his usual good form.

I congratulate Major General Michael Finn on his appointment as head of mission and chief of staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. This is not just a great honour for Major General Finn, it is also a great honour for the Defence Forces and the country. I wish him well.

I salute the superb acting talent and ability of Senator MacSharry. I am of the view, however, that he may have over-egged the pudding to some extent regarding the matter he raised. However, and in light of his ability, I accept that this comes naturally to him. I support what Senator Hayden stated. As the Leader will recall, yesterday he acceded to a request to hold a debate on mortgage arrears and the new code of conduct in due course. It is disturbing that almost 90,000 people's mortgage repayments are over 90 days in arrears and that 46,000 or 47,000 others are in trouble. As Senator Hayden stated, we need to digest the details relating to this matter in a proper fashion. I echo the calls for a debate but I do not believe it would be possible to engage in such a debate today. It would not be wise to hold a debate of this nature today. There is a need to allow people to absorb all the relevant information before they comment on the matter.

I would advise Senator Daly not to go down the road of referring to the Taoiseach or Ministers engaging in conversations with bankers. I would advise him to desist from making such comments. Those matters are in the past and he should leave them-----

Does Senator Paul Coghlan have a question for the Leader?

No, I have said what I have said. I am sure the Leader-----

I call Senator Barrett.

For the information of the Senator, it is on the record of the House and is well known.

-----will respond in his own good time.

Senator Paul Coghlan should resume his seat. I call Senator Barrett.

Representatives from the Department of Finance met the bankers-----

Senator Daly should resume his seat.

-----because the latter were seeking changes to the personal insolvency legislation. We are not clear as to whether-----

Senator Daly should resume his seat.

It is normal for communications to take place between-----

Senator Paul Coghlan is way over time. I call Senator Barrett.