John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

Senator Henry raised the important issue of forensic medical services. In light of recent media reports, it is somewhat disturbing that there is a conflict between medical professionals. In everyone's interest it is vitally important that as a society we have confidence in our forensic services, particularly given the linkage with court cases and the judicial process. A debate on that area should be facilitated in the House. She also raised the legislative programme and the new coroners Bill. I will have to come back to the Senator on that, as I do not have the answer to hand.

Senator Terry raised the issue of sexual health, particularly as regards young people, and the broad educational programme in this area. Again, this is something that must be kept to the fore continually, given the statistics that appear regularly in the newspapers about the increased incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, STDs, particularly among the young. She also raised the issue of AIDS and Ireland's contribution to a worldwide policy for dealing with that issue. As she said, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, plays an active role in our overseas development. He comes regularly to the Seanad to talk about overseas aid and we will endeavour to raise this matter on his next visit to the House.

Senator White raised the issue of age and ageism and sought a debate on the subject of carers and the elderly. Those of us who heard one of the enumerators of the census recently on radio describing how he had detected the fear and loneliness among the elderly people he visited were affected. It is a subject of which we are all conscious and we should have regular debates on age and ageism in this House. I will raise that with the Leader.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the recent bus crash and reports that further summonses were to be issued. I will not comment on that aspect in particular, but the whole question of an audit of bus fleets should be examined. A review of the roadworthiness of all public transport is something that must be ongoing. We have the NCT and various other tests and it is not acceptable that any vehicle which is not fully operational or safe should be on the road. Again, I will bring those comments to the attention of the Minister for Education and Science. The Senator also raised the issue of the agripolicy vis-À-vis the Lyons Estate, UCD, and I will relay his comments in this regard to the Minister.

Senator Daly, joined by Senator Feeney, raised the issue of Professor Drumm addressing the House, which is rightfully a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Senator Feeney confirmed that Professor Drumm addressed the Joint Committee on Health and Children recently. He spoke at the Progressive Democrats annual conference and other party conferences and he is well worth listening to. However, the question as to whether people should be brought into the House is a matter for the CPP. There is a forum in the committee system, which we are all entitled to attend and we should concentrate on that area. If we were to open the doors to invite everyone to address the full Seanad, I am not sure whether that would be the right way to go. That is a personal opinion.

Senator O'Meara raised the issue of legislation in two regards, the matter of a press council and the child care regulations. She is correct that the House was told around Easter that the legislation would be coming this term. I cannot tell the Senator it will be next week because I do not know. My understanding, however, is that both pieces of legislation are imminent.

That brings me to Senator McHugh who gave the House a lecture on democracy. Then he undermined democracy by saying members of a junior party in Government should not hold a ministerial role. That is a matter for Government and for the Taoiseach who allocates the ministerial offices.