James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Yesterday's IRA statement has sent shock waves through the entire community, as other Members have already said. The IRA's claim to be involved in the peace process appears to be very negative following the most recent statement. Murder is murder, yet the IRA's answer to crime in Northern Ireland is to commit more murder. The IRA's claim to have offered to kill the three people who were involved in the murder of Robert McCartney is shameful and disgusting. It has sickened the community. It is not that long ago since a former colleague of ours, Senator Billy Fox, was murdered. It is time to tighten up security in this State. It is necessary to do so and it will have to happen soon, rather than dealing with those criminals.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to attend the House for a debate on housing. What does the Minister, Deputy Roche, plan to do to eliminate poor quality housing in many rural and urban areas?

We should also discuss the threat to the disabled person's grant scheme. A number of local authorities are considering the introduction of a means test for that scheme. That is a dreadful proposal because it will hit the most vulnerable in our society. The disabled person's grant and other schemes for the elderly and disabled should not be subject to means tests.