Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I apologise and I stand corrected. I have been told by my colleagues that the reference was of puny distinction.

We had an excellent debate yesterday from which I learned a great deal. Such debates must be heard in public. The BBC recently established a new channel on its digital service called BBC Parliament on which debates such as the one we held yesterday are covered on a constant basis. There is a responsibility on all media to report such debates. Over 20 Members spoke yesterday and there was a very fine statement from the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The EU Parliament dealt with the matter yesterday and it is all over the papers this morning. We must work together to ensure the important and historic debates which take place here are heard by the public.

As the Leader is more than aware, this week is men's cancer action week, which is organised by the Irish Cancer Society. I welcome the society's initiative. Relatively minor cancers can be detected in men if they are aware and visit their doctors on a regular basis. As we all know, many men will not go to GPs' surgeries and, furthermore, most of the information in surgeries is not male friendly. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on this issue to be attended by the Minister for Health and Children at some point over the next few weeks. Early detection is the key to stopping testicular and prostate cancers which are killers if they are not discovered in time. We need to debate the matter.

When will we conclude Committee Stages of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill? They have been on the Order Paper for some months. We welcome the fact that we are to sit four days next week. We will have an opportunity then to get through this legislation and to pass it, which is our job. I encourage the Leader to facilitate that work.