Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes praised, inter alia, the initiative by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for providing €6.5 million to deal with the Dublin criminal gangs. He said there was already an initiative to do so last autumn. Clearly there is a proliferation of crime and I admire the fact that this money is being made available. The main point of the Senator's contribution was that if a new Bill to criminalise gang culture was brought to this House he would facilitate it, for which I thank him.

The Senator also referred to Sellafield and the fact that the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland should have automatic status at the plant. He called on the British Government to allow for this. Senator Brady sent me a note stating that last week, the institute addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government on access to Sellafield and submitted a report on the matter. I will ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to come to the House to debate the matter.

Senator O'Toole said that a random check was carried out on 20 primary schools and that no vending machines were found. I understand the machines are mainly in secondary schools. He referred to games co-ordinators and the idea of cookery teachers who could give talks on proper nutrition.

The Senator also referred to the consumer strategy agency which will be announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin. He said there was a restriction on funding for the existing Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley. She is an excellent person who does great work within very limited financial parameters. I took note when the Senator spoke about the groceries order and Senator Coghlan's correction of his inadvertent remark.