Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes asked when the House will debate the Government resolution on the report by the sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. We have had contact with the Taoiseach's office and we are awaiting a response. I believe the resolution will be laid before both Houses following which we hope to have a debate on it but we are awaiting the date for that. I thought we would have it this week but we hope to have it soon after the Easter recess.

Senator Brian Hayes also raised the murder of the woman in Tallaght. All of us were shocked by the random nature of that murder. All murders are wrong but the reason this woman was singled out is unexplained. It was a terrible thing to happen. The newspapers have been quite emotional about it, describing her as a living saint and so on. That is beside the point. I am sure she was a very fine parish worker but the way this murder happened was terrible and it shocked people when they heard about it. I agree with Senator Hayes, and I know the Minister would wish to come to the House because at the Garda conference yesterday he unfolded a comprehensive range of measures he intends to invoke including prison places and the guns amnesty, which the Senator mentioned. I understand from the newspapers, although I do not know because I have no word on it, that the Minister intends to go to Cabinet with his proposal. I stress I got that from newspapers and not from any direct knowledge. I accept there is a strong feeling abroad about murder, gangland killings, drugs and so on but I genuinely believe the Minister, Deputy Michael McDowell, will get on top of the difficulties we are all encountering.

Senator Henry called for a rolling debate on Iraq. I agree with that, though it will be difficult. It will be near the end of April when we return after the recess and I wish to publicly thank the various Departments and Ministers because we have never been left wanting for a Minister, even though it is extraordinarily difficult for them during the Presidency. It is particularly difficult to get anybody from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is not their fault; they are just very busy. We will endeavour to have a debate on Iraq because it appears events there are spiralling out of control.

Senator Tuffy raised the issue of waste management and asked that the Minister come to the House to discuss the report he has just issued. I understand he or the Minister of State is due to come here this week, but we will endeavour to have a debate on waste management.

Senator Dardis raised the issue of organ donation. A campaign on this was launched last week and I meant to go but was unable. It is a very fine concept. He also spoke about a guns amnesty and said the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will address that issue.

Senator Finucane spoke about the need for additional gardaí and I hope we will hear of developments on this matter soon. I heard the consultant talking about smoking outside and it would be a terrible development if there was a fracas because people were outside smoking cigarettes.

Senator Ó Murchú called for a debate on Northern Ireland and specifically what Judge Cory said in his report about Pat Finucane. Such a debate would need to be taken by the Taoiseach or the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, and would depend on their other engagements.

Senator Quinn spoke about car insurance. While I read about this matter, I did not fully understand it. He said that women currently get lower motor insurance rates and Europe wants to push these up to the same levels as those for men. I do not know whether we have fewer crashes or injuries than men, although most of the sad events of which we hear involve male drivers. We will ask the Tánaiste about the directive being prepared in Europe, as it falls within her remit. I cannot help smiling because women want equality, but not when it involves such changes.

The Senator also spoke about telephone lotteries. I have never received one of these letters but I understand that people are being told they will get unexplained wealth if they make a telephone call. While I presume they will not get any money, some people are gullible enough to believe they will. I remember chain letters that used to go around saying if someone receiving such a letter failed to send it to a further five people something dreadful, like the world ending, would happen. This seems to be a sophisticated version of that scam. Is someone making money out of this? Is it legitimate?