David Norris (Independent)

I thought I would not need all the time. I am like one of those gases — I expand to fill the space available.

There is a serious point to be made, namely, it would be useful if a mutual information pack about sexuality was available and classes were conducted in this area. That would give some reassurance to the 10% minority of school children who will inevitably turn out to be gay.

I apologise that the Minister of State was kept waiting for such a long time outside the Chamber but it was not just because of the extended Order of Business. It was also because we were paying tribute to a beloved former colleague in this House, the late Senator Ruairí Brugha.

We were talking about road safety on the Order of Business, among other issues. I pointed out, as others have, that there is an opportunity to give young people driving lessons within the school context. Questions have been raised about insurance and responsibility, etc., but I am sure these matters can be sorted out because in Germany this is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Imagine the impact this might have on the incidence of fatalities. I do not have the exact figures, but a high proportion of the people killed at weekends are young males who sometimes are on their own. There is even the suggestion that in a proportion of these cases, the accidents are not entirely accidental. This is a way some young people have of ending their own lives and it is very tragic.