Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Some three years ago the Human Rights Commission wrote to the Government requesting that it be accountable directly to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government did not oppose this but sought to consider the suggestion. Can the Leader find out the position on what seems to me a valid and sensible suggestion? Three years is sufficient time to formulate a response.

A British newspaper report this morning indicated it is possible to buy a strain of smallpox on the Internet with total freedom. An initial release would affect ten people and could spread to 2.2 million people in 180 days. I do not know what the answer to this is but it seems ideal for a terrorist who seeks to use the Internet to secretly and efficiently create horror. Smallpox was eradicated many years ago but it is possible for terrorist organisations to access strains of it. I do not know whose responsibility a response to this might be but we should be aware of the situation so that we can take steps to address it.