John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

The situation in Iraq should be kept under review by the House. The Leader indicated that yesterday. It is a cliché to say that truth is the first casualty in war. Propaganda from this House would be just as useless as it is from any other quarter. It might be useful if a debate on the Iraq crisis concentrated on what we can do as a country. I welcome the Government's allocation of €5 million to humanitarian aid. We should concentrate on how best this can be used in minimising the civilian suffering in Iraq. I would welcome such a debate in the House with Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt.

There has been much discussion on road safety, the role of the Garda and speeding ministerial cars. The Minister for Transport should be asked about Bus Éireann's policy on speeding. When travelling on the Naas dual carriageway, I observed one Bus Éireann bus overtake me as I travelled at 60 mph. I also observed a bus travelling at night with no lights save its indicators flashing. What is Bus Éireann's attitude to road safety?