Mary Henry (Independent)

I too support Senator O'Toole's suggestion that we have a debate on the correlation between increased alcohol consumption and increased levels of suicide. That correlation is well known and all the moaning and groaning about any drop in the consumption of alcohol in pubs due to the smoking ban is fairly shabby because the ban is welcome.

Senator Norris and I frequently raise the issue of the Gulfstream jet that lands in Shannon. We have no idea what is on board that jet. In the United States, the CIA has been forced into admitting that it has permission to take people abroad on what is referred to as "extraordinary rendition". I do not know what that means but it does not sound very good. Apparently, these people are brought to countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Morocco for treatment of some sort that it is felt better to farm out from the United States.

When I raised this issue initially, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said that anyone who landed in Shannon was subject to the protection of the Constitution. If the Irish population thought that people were being brought through Shannon for any form of torture, they would be very angry. I am aware the Leader has tried to get more information on this issue but in general the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has sent her cuttings from newspapers, which we can all read.

I realise that the Leader has much to do but I would be extremely grateful if she could discover whether an attempt has been made to obtain information regarding the identities of those on board this jet which passes through Shannon quite frequently.