Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes remembered the words of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, some time ago, about a particular murder being the "last sting of a dying wasp". The Senator referred to the spiralling drug problems, gang warfare, and gangland membership which the Minister has promised will be covered in the criminal justice Bill.

He also raised the matter of Louise O'Keeffe from Cork. I will reply to this question when responding to Senator Norris because he and the Independent Senators tabled the motion. Senator Brian Hayes, however, is right to associate himself with this motion.

Senator O'Toole talked about the mayhem in France and the United Kingdom today saying that they do not have social partnership and benchmarking as we do. He also mentioned the Lisbon Agenda and Finland. He spoke about what the teaching council will mean for teachers. I recall the President of the ASTI when I was teaching pushed that agenda hard.

Senator Tuffy spoke about the shoot-out on the M50. I too hear people say that physically and mentally they fear for their lives. It is horrifying to hear it casually said that the people involved were wearing bullet-proof vests, as if we put them on every morning, as a fact of life. The Senator asked that the Minister show leadership on the matter.

Senator Morrissey referred to the outsourcing of driving tests, quoting Senator O'Toole's term, saying that although we have achieved the "grand prize", it has not delivered on this matter because a Civil Service executive has deemed that it cannot be outsourced. He also asked for a debate on Sustaining Progress. I remind the House that we had a debate on Sustaining Progress some time in February so I am not sure we could have another one. We can, however, try, when more people have examined the document. Maybe some people did not speak during that debate. The Senator may well have delivered himself brilliantly but I cannot recall.

Senator Coghlan sought permission to move First Stage of his Bill. A Chathaoirligh, is it up to me to accept this?