Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I have no difficulty with the Leader's proposal for dealing with Nos. 4 to 16, inclusive, on the Order Paper. Will she contact her colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in connection with the growing problem of stabbings, especially in large towns and cities? She is no doubt aware that to date this year, of the 53 murders committed in the country, 25 were the result of violent and vicious stabbings. In view of the unfortunate events of the past weekend and the seeming rise of the knife sub-culture in some parts of the country, will she discuss this issue with the Minister to see if additional legislation is required to amend the Dangerous Weapons Act, 1990, to restrict further or prohibit the proliferation of these dangerous weapons?

The proposed Order of Business for tomorrow has only one item. We, on this side of the House, need to debate various issues. In view of this, it is inappropriate that only one item of legislation be debated on a sitting day. Unless there is a problem of a work to rule on the other side of the House, there is a need to include a number of items on the Order of Business for each sitting day to ensure relevant issues, such as the Flood tribunal interim report or Northern Ireland, raised last week in the House, can be debated when they first arise.