Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Phelan raised the issue of the nitrates directive and called for a debate on road safety. Senator Mansergh referred to Northern Ireland, the nitrates directive and Ireland's generous commitment on employment issues. We have shown a generous commitment to workers from the EU accession states from which we should not move away.

Senator Quinn said there was lack of leadership in the face of the level of road deaths. He remarked on the scandal and horrific nature of road deaths and asked for a debate on the matter. He also spoke about the lack of leadership in information technology. He noted Ireland's placing on the European information technology scale as it appears we are dropping down the list.

Senator Dardis supported Senator Glynn in his call for action to be taken on the matter of indiscriminate taking of fish from the waterways. He asked for a debate on enforcement regarding this matter and also with regard to road safety.

Senator Coghlan raised the issue of privilege and also the Judge Curtin case. Senator McCarthy suggested a shorter recess should be taken by all of us. He said the House sittings are too short. There is a lot of lip service paid to this subject, yet we all have a heavy workload during the recess period.

Senator Kitt welcomed the report issued yesterday by the All-Party Oireachas Committee on the Constitution. Senator McHugh raised the issue of game angling and supported the two Senators who spoke on the matter. He made a very interesting point about Northern Ireland and the high speed train route from Belfast to Derry which includes Letterkenny. He suggests we should be in line with what is being done in the North ——