Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Meara also called for a debate on health and hospital management.

Senator Browne asked about legislation on mobile phone use while driving. Fine Gael introduced a Bill dealing with that issue in the Dáil last week and it was accepted by the Government. Hopefully it will come through quickly.

Senator Browne also mentioned drug driving and the penalty points system. I also agree with him that we often meet elderly people who find it difficult to secure local authority housing. OPDs are a thing of the past. There was a time when every council scheme included a few OPDs but elderly people now find it difficult to get a house. From the council's point of view, a family with children gets first call.

Senator Cummins said that gun crime is out of control and called for a debate on the matter. Senator Moylan extended his sympathies to the White family and mentioned penalty points. He is right, we asked what the Government was doing about road safety and then we criticise it as soon as it acts. There must be severe penalties for those who drink and drive. There was a terrible accident in Athlone at the weekend as well.

Senator McHugh mentioned new information from Teagasc and said that we should keep our finger on the pulse of the agriculture debate. He also spoke about Glenties, a lovely place, where we all flock to the Patrick Magill summer school every year. Senator John Paul Phelan also mentioned Denis Donaldson, the tragedy in Offaly and crime in general, calling for a debate on the subject.