David Norris (Independent)

The gardaí were blamed, but the judge said that he was not bothered by the clock. He certainly should have been bothered, since, as a result of his lack of punctiliousness, someone walked free from Garda custody.

I join with those others, including from the Government side, who have called for a debate on accident and emergency departments. A very calm and reasoned consultant from Galway was on the radio today making the point that we have 97% to 100% bed occupancy. International reports make it clear that the service can operate efficiently and receive patients appropriately only when the figure is 85% or less. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that we do not need another task force. Unfortunately, particularly as we draw close to an election, the Government response to almost everything is to appoint a commission, a task force, or a think tank. There is a period of paralysis coming, and that is not good enough.

It is a question of resources. I do not mean to be harshly critical of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I have supported her before, since she is a good Minister doing a very difficult job. It requires a lengthy timescale, and as Zhou Enlai said regarding the French Revolution, it is too early to judge.

Last night the House held a very good debate on rendition flights and Shannon Airport, which was very well reported by Jimmy Walsh in The Irish Times . Despite the quality of the debate, RTE completely ignored it, taking only one sentence on the issue from Senator Brian Hayes on the Order of Business. Perhaps we might continue to take an interest in the area. The Government's response to the Marty commission is not tabled as a document on the reverse. I would like to see it tabled, and if that does not happen, I will do so personally, since the Government response is inadequate, full of evasion, and answers questions that have not been raised without answering the principal concern. It is a thoroughgoing disgrace and should not be accepted by this House. We should examine it before it is allowed to stand as a proper response to this important commission.