David Norris (Independent)

I support Senator Finucane and others who have called for a debate on the rising tide of violence but hope it will be conducted in a non-partisan way because it affects everyone. Some incidents are worrying. Ireland has changed a great deal in my lifetime. I never thought I would see the day when there would be contract killings and that somebody would say he or she received €10,000 for taking another human being's life. I would like to think that as a result of a debate with the Minister we might get at the people behind the contract killings. There is something chilling about this notion.

I support Senator O'Toole's comments on Irish Ferries. The Labour Court has given its recommendation and the Taoiseach yesterday said he hopes it will be accepted, yet the company cavalierly threw it aside. We need a debate on the trade unions, and I say this with a specific matter in mind. I must declare an interest. I am a member of the actors' union Irish Equity and I have been briefed by SIPTU——