Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Hanafin requested a debate on the Middle East. Senator Hanafin would welcome the visit of President Bush. Senator O'Toole had a different opinion.

Senator Finucane spoke about the non-reporting of crime. In small communities, people are afraid to report crime because they fear the revenge of the perpetrator. These matters can be raised during the debate on the Garda Síochána Bill in a few moments when the Minister is in the House.

Senator Kitt spoke about No Name Clubs for young people where alcohol is not available. He also requested a debate on Iraq. I believe all Senators would support that request.

Senator Henry said she would not ask about Committee Stage of Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill. She was quite right not to do so because we are tired asking about it. She also spoke about the role of doctors in prisons and the bad conditions for prisoners.

Senator Coghlan inquired about the Great Southern Hotels. We will try to get a clear statement on this issue so that those who work in the hotels and who patronise them will know what is in store for the hotels during the coming summer.

Senator Bohan agreed with Senator Tuffy on the question of children being with their parents in public houses or hotel bars.

Senator Norris spoke about the Abbey Theatre. The Cathaoirleach, rightly, said we could not pass a vote of sympathy on the death of Cormac McAnallen, although his own instincts were to sympathise with the young man's family.

I would be glad if, on the Garda Síochána Bill, Senator Terry would raise the issue of the disgraceful continuance of the "Happy Hour", which has been outlawed. There is no doubt that its purpose is to get young people so tanked up that they continue to drink. Senator Feeney supported the establishment of a press council and agreed that the "Happy Hour" should not continue as it is a crime.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the Minister for Education and Science's non-attendance at the teachers' conferences. I am looking at Senator O'Toole who, I am sure, will remember that, as the then Minister for Education, I attended the teachers' annual conferences on five occasions. Each year I used to call it the Via Dolorosa, but I learned to love the conferences because I stayed at night and had a great time with the teachers.