Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Kitt spoke about good rail track, but also called for a debate on rail transport policy.

Senator Finucane referred to Garda ministerial drivers and asked that the Taoiseach issue a directive to them. He also referred to the shortage of summer jobs and asked that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coghlan come before the House to discuss the matter. The Minister will be in the House for the Social Welfare Bill in the near future, so we could deal with it at that point.

Senator Cummins called for a debate on under age gambling, which is similar to the debate Senator Ormonde requested. Crime is a deeper issue, involving more than just Garda numbers and the penal system. Crime among young people involves issues such as parental control, lifestyles and peer pressure, of which teachers, including Senator Ormonde, have a greater knowledge. We need to approach the problems from wider angles, other than calls to flog them and put them in prison.

Order of Business agreed to.