John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am tempted to call a public meeting on the nitrates directive as I am sure that it would be very well attended. Speaking as someone from an agricultural background, I echo the sentiments of my colleague, Senator Bannon, and ask the Leader to arrange a debate. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, seemed to back down yesterday regarding the nitrates directive. It is clear to me as someone looking in from the outside that there has been a degree of political manoeuvring regarding Teagasc officers. In particular, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, does not emerge from this smelling of roses. We should have a discussion at the earliest opportunity, since the implications, especially of spreading phosphorous, could be extremely detrimental for agriculture in this country.

I also join with colleagues who have expressed interest in debating road safety. Senator Maurice Hayes was quite correct in saying that Northern Ireland would make a good case study. Many of the patterns of problems on the roads there are similar to what we see in this jurisdiction, and we might usefully emulate efforts there to ensure a similar reduction. Over the last few weekends, we have seen a shocking number of accidents and fatalities on the roads.

In my three and a half years in the House, we have had numerous debates and expended a great deal of hot air. Even yesterday, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, held a press conference at which he announced that he would introduce two or three new Bills or amendments to existing legislation. However, a few hours later, the Chief Whip's office published the legislative programme, which contained nothing on road safety or transport. We might usefully have a discussion with the Minister for Transport to see what will happen and whether he has any real proposals to put to the House and the country to reduce the toll of fatalities and accidents on the roads.