James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I support the Senator Terry's remarks in respect of anti-social behaviour, a matter that is being raised on the doorsteps. There seems to be a great deal of law but very little order in the country at present. That is because the Government did not implement its proposal to provide 2,000 additional gardaí, which has led to the situation with which we are currently faced.

Will the Leader make time available for a debate on the payment of VAT by charities? These organisations cannot recoup that money when it has been paid. They pay over €18 million each year to the State and cannot get it back. The cost of this for charitable organisations is enormous. Every euro the State collects is one less spent on services to help the elderly, the needy, the disabled and others in our society. The Government must display some political will in respect of this matter and deal with it swiftly. I request a debate on this issue and I hope it will take place in the near future because many people are contributing voluntarily of their time and are obliged to pay VAT etc., into the Government's coffers. That is grossly unfair, particularly in the post-Celtic tiger era.