Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I agree with Senator Norris's comments regarding a debate on our licensing laws. On the report in the weekend's newspapers, it is disgraceful that approximately 80% of off-licences and licensed premises are not obeying the law. Urgent action must be taken and a debate in this Chamber might highlight the current problems in the licensing laws.

While anomalies and difficulties may have existed in urban and rural renewal schemes, some of them brought about good development in many rural towns. This was true especially in areas of such towns that were falling into disrepair, where people came forward and put up money for development. There was good development and employment in many parts of the country as a result, particularly the upper Shannon region mentioned by Senator Burke. These schemes should be considered again. If the first phase is concluded, other rural areas should be examined for the possibility of development, such as the lower Shannon area.