Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, raised the referral of the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. It will go to the other House too. It is important that we have the opportunity to debate it here because according to the Order Paper the joint committee will take public submissions within the three months prior to its report to the Seanad. Our debate could be seen as part of that submission process and we should view it in that way. We will likely receive the report in the new year. Senator Brian Hayes also raised the question of the national drugs strategy and the worrying aspect of the increased rate of cocaine abuse. The Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with responsibility for drugs strategy, Deputy Noel Ahern, has been very good about coming here to report on his work. We could have a debate on that matter in the new year.