Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

We currently hold the Presidency of the European Union. Our country is in a pivotal position in terms of EU development, but it seems we cannot organise a free concert to take place on our streets on 1 May. This day has been set aside for some years as the day ten new accession countries will join the European Union. The Government has already designated it as a day of welcomes for the ten new member states, yet we cannot organise a simple free concert on the streets for our citizens. I ask the Government to intervene with Dublin City Council and all of the other authorities, including RTE, to ensure this concert takes place somewhere in Dublin on this day.

It seems we have a pathetic attitude in this State when it comes to public space for our citizens. Public space should not be given over to gangs of people who are up to their necks in drink, but neither should it be taken away because of a ruling by a petty bureaucrat. It is time that members of the public reclaimed their streets. This capital has had many concerts in the past and should hold one again on 1 May. I ask the Leader to intervene with the Government on this matter to ensure the concert takes place because we have much to celebrate on 1 May.

I wish to raise two procedural matters. One relates to the Maritime Security Bill 2004. This was introduced in the post-September 11 security environment in the context of a commitment entered into in 2001 by the Government to transpose into domestic law a resolution from the Security Council, yet three years later the legislation has not been enacted. Is there any other anti-terrorism legislation, globally and nationally, which has yet to be enacted following commitments given at EU and United Nations level? It is not good enough that having entered into an agreement with the United Nations, we are only transposing the law into domestic statute three years later.

Yesterday, I raised privately with the Leader a matter regarding statements on the high level of alcohol consumption by young people. Following a request by the Fine Gael spokesperson, Senator Terry, on the matter last week the Leader kindly arranged to bring the debate back onto the Order Paper. We are now in a tangle because Senator Terry and others spoke on the matter some months ago. Will the Leader clarify if Senator Terry and others who have made a contribution can speak again? If not, could the debate be given a different title to facilitate repeat speakers? A similar situation arose with regard to a rolling debate on Iraq. We should have a rolling debate on this issue, as the Seanad has led on it in recent years. It is important that spokespersons should be able to speak tomorrow. Perhaps the Whips could have a meeting to ensure this occurs.