Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I thank the Leader. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House once again to make a statement on his proposals regarding the rising number of crimes associated with alcohol consumption? At the weekend he suggested that two matters might be examined. One is the introduction of a national ID card throughout the country, which I would welcome. The second is the rather crazy suggestion that pubs be allowed to stay open later into the night. Perhaps he would make a statement to the House at some stage next week to outline the proposals he will put to the Government.

Will the Leader make time available in the next week or so for a debate on pensions policy? Last year the Minister for Social and Family Affairs introduced PRSAs, a portable and flexible pension arrangement for workers. However, the scheme seems to have fallen flat. The level of coverage available to workers is abysmally low and is far below the EU average. We need to debate this issue soon, so I ask the Leader to make time available to do so.

Will the Leader find out from the National Library what is its policy with regard to purchasing artefacts and important historical documents? Last week, in an auction room in Dublin, an important historical document from the late General Michael Collins was lost to public perusal as a result of its being purchased by a citizen. While everybody holds the view that citizens should be sufficiently civic-minded to hand over such artefacts and documents to ensure that everybody in the State has an opportunity to see them in the National Library or the National Museum, what is the policy of the National Library on bidding in such auctions? I understand it made a bid of approximately €21,000, but that the document was sold for €26,000. I would be grateful if the Leader would clarify this matter with the National Library.