Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Finucane raised the threat of terrorism in London and the concern about Sellafield, echoing what Senator Brian Hayes said. I will endeavour to get a list of those measures which have yet to be implemented by law or by ministerial order.

Senator Ormonde raised the matter of the concert being cancelled. Following a request last week in the House, we spent most of a day trying to contact the Taoiseach. We fully understand how busy the Taoiseach, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and the Minister, Deputy Cowen, are. It is great we have got to where we are without major disruption and that we have been able to get a raft of Ministers to come here during the difficult times they have had going hither and tither. I thought we would have nearly had to fold up when matters at work got very hot. We are still endeavouring to have a major debate on the European constitution, the Lisbon strategy and other issues next week and I will revert to the House in this regard.

Senator Quinn referred to the seven people who died on the roads last weekend and called for a line budget for road safety and asked if we could do more. We could work such issues into the transport debate if we were to have it. The Senator also referred to the sudden deaths of John McCall, the young rugby player, and Cormac McAnallen. Clearly, there must be a medical connection between such deaths and extreme exercise and pushing the body at a particular age, which is having such a sad result. Mrs. McAnallen asked for a debate on the issue and we will ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism to come to the House for such a debate.

Senator Hanafin referred to housing. Most Senators will have received an invitation this morning to the launch next week of the report on property rights. We will seek to have a debate on the issue at that stage. The Senator also referred to tax relief for commuters.

Senator Ross asked about the committee on auctioneering, about which he wrote an interesting article two weeks ago. I have been told and hope the committee will be announced this week. The Senator also referred to the Tánaiste, SIPTU and a debate on democracy. He put forward his point of view. We are all here to do the same. The Senator has strident views on this matter.

Senator Mansergh said greater competition is good but good public service is also needed, and I agree. When I am asked how Ireland got to be where it is with decent growth rates when the rest of Europe is faltering, I say it is because of social partnership. It is easy to cast it to one side if a tremor occurs, but it is the bedrock of how the economy has prospered.