Joe O'Toole (Independent)

My point is related and similar to that made by Senator Brian Hayes on the eruption or great expansion in the use of cocaine in the better-off areas of Dublin and, consequently, in other parts of the country. We should discuss this problem, and I have asked that we do so on previous occasions. Others share the Senator's views on it. Although we may not be able to circulate our message to all the people all the time, we certainly want to make it absolutely clear to the so-called sophisticates who are using cocaine at the weekend that they are paying for a racket and system that maintains the gun culture. We know for a fact and have evidence that some of the cocaine being sent to Ireland comes with a number of unasked for guns thrown in. It is normal that guns, as well as drugs, are given to gangs to be used in continuing their reign of terror. It is absolutely a fact. We may have lost some of the battles in this regard, but we should not tolerate the activities of those who think it is smart or sophisticated to use guns.

I asked the Leader last week to arrange a debate on the problems at Marino Institute of Education. The report on the matter that has been published rubbishes the college's staff, anyone who has tried to sort out the difficulties and the Department of Education and Science. It seems that everyone is wrong except for the trustees of the college. It is time to consider this matter. The consultants were directed not to talk to the person with the main grievance, who was the main source of evidence, or to other people who had resigned for the same reason. The consultants found no evidence because they did not talk to the people who made the complaints. There is a reign of terror at the college. I would like a debate so that we can talk about what is in the report and deal with the political issues. The Minister for Education and Science recently said that the college's hard-working staff are producing teachers of a quality that is unmatched in half of Europe, despite all the pressures on them. The staff of the college need the support of the House and a vote of confidence. I would like a debate on the matter to be arranged at an early stage.