Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ryan said there has been a change in the world order and there is no doubt that he is correct. We are witnessing an effort of aggrandisement on the part of the United States of America and we should reflect on where it is leading us.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is keen to attend a debate on crime in the House. It is, however, a matter of making time available, particularly in light of the fact that our first duty is to consider legislation.

Senator Dardis also requested a debate on Iraq and humanitarian aid. He wishes the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, to discuss the matter in the House. The Senator asked if Bus Éireann vehicles are subject to speed limits which, of course, they should be.

Senator Terry said the Garda had detected 80,000 instances of crime which were directly related to alcohol and asked when section 17 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 will be implemented. It falls to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to make regulations in this regard, which is a matter we could usefully debate when crime is discussed in the House. I hope to have such a debate before Easter.

Senator Mansergh correctly told the House that histrionics were not its daily meat. I agree with him that much fine work is conducted here. He wished Mr. Kevin Murphy well and recalled that he had played a pivotal role in the earlier partnership agreement talks, particularly in 1987, the first of the social contract talks.

Senator Henry asked for a debate on Iraq and also gave her views on the new format of the Order Paper. Senator Ó Murchú also asked for a debate on Iraq and said that it was an unjust, immoral and irregular war—