Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader take up the matter raised yesterday on the national airwaves with regard to the cutback affecting the State Pathologist, Dr. Cassidy? Until recently she was given a designated Garda driver to ensure she could get to the scenes of crimes in various parts of the country. This is a serious issue. Her job is difficult and gruesome and it is important she gets to crime scenes as quickly as possible to secure the evidence that will ultimately lead to a conviction. The State owes it to her and the service she provides to supply her with a designated Garda driver. I understand the State currently pays approximately €5.5 million a year to drive various people around the country, a considerable cost to the taxpayer. One extra person would not be a significant addition to that bill. I urge the Leader to take up this issue with the Government.

This week is the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War. Over 125,000 people from all countries were massacred in that awful battle in Turkey, some 3,500 of whom were Irish. It is only recently that their memory and courage has been recognised here.

I raise this issue not just to gain recognition for the 3,500 Irish people who gave their lives in that campaign, but also as an historical point. It is important to be aware that at some point in the future Turkey may be part of the enlarged European Union, something I support and welcome. We must ensure the enlargement of the European Union takes in all parts of the European map, particularly Turkey. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House and brief us in the next few weeks on the current debate on Turkey and the process of enlargement? The first steps of that debate have begun within the European Union and a debate here would be worthwhile. There is great division within Europe as to whether Turkey should be part of the European Union. I passionately believe it should. The various voices in the House should be heard on the matter.