Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I have raised twice before the need for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to brief the House on the Good Friday Agreement, the release of prisoners, the funding that some prisoner groups receive and whether it is being used appropriately. In the light of the recently leaked document, it would be appropriate to have a debate early in the new year on these issues. The comments in newspaper articles today about increased collusion between paramilitary splinter groups are of great concern and ones we cannot afford to ignore. A debate on these issues early in the new year would be appropriate.

The Government must be the most anti-youth Administration since the foundation of the State, given the increased university registration fees, the proposed reinroduction of third level fees, the cutting back of children's allowance, the delaying of schools building projects and the abolition of the first-time buyer's grant. Will the Leader ensure that, in the light of the Immigration Bill being discussed in the House, just as the Minister will not insist on Santa Claus having the correct papers to enter the country on Christmas Day, the Government will not do anything to dampen the Christmas spirit for children and young people?