John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I join with colleagues in their request that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform come into the House today at the earliest possible opportunity. I support Senator Brian Hayes's proposed amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that it should be rearranged to facilitate a discussion on this extremely important issue which has arisen again today.

I share the views of my colleague, Senator Tuffy, regarding the comments of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on radio last week. He treated a serious subject in a flippant manner. I have some time for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who is a man of ability. However, he is prone to treating serious issues in an inappropriate manner. In this case he would have been better served spending time last week drafting a solution to the problem that has been created rather than going on the national airwaves.

I join Senator Browne in calling for a debate on housing. He specifically mentioned single people and those without children. I would also like to include elderly single men. Many elderly single men continue to live in prefabricated accommodation, which is a disgrace and must not be allowed to continue. If we are to have a debate on housing we must also discuss those people.

I ask the Leader to organise a debate with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the issue of water fluoridation. While I know this topic has been discussed in the House before, I do not believe it has been discussed in my time here. Grave concerns on the issue have been raised in the past, which, perhaps, can be allayed by the Minister.