Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Senator said people went in private ones. I share his concern aboutBallymahon where a heinous crime was committed in the local post office. Members of a family were tied up and bundled into rooms. Postmen were treated in the same way. Post offices atBallymahon, Glasson and Horseleap were targeted in one fell swoop. It is very disturbing.

Senator Bradford sought a full debate on Northern Ireland issues, including the Good Friday Agreement. Senator Terry said it took gardaí two hours to respond when a school was broken into in Dublin 15 because they had gone to police an event at Farmleigh. I am not aware of the situation concerning the deployment of gardaí, however. In addition, the Senator bemoaned the fact that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform did not attend the prison officers' conference. However, the Minister is entitled to go wherever he wants. He chose not to go, although he has had many discussions with the prison officers and perhaps he has had enough of it. However, the Minister attends this House whenever we want him to.

Senator Browne said we need to question policy on Northern Ireland, rather than accepting it all the time. He said the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should attend the House to debate law and order issues, but I presume he will be here tomorrow night.