Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am uneasy about taking No. 1 without debate. Almost all Members had an input to make during the passage of the Act and representations were made from all sides. While I do not wish to go against the procedure for dealing with such matters, it is a significant issue pertaining to how disabilities will be addressed under the different headings of health, enterprise, transport, etc. Issues ranging from the kind of bus design to who can get into schools, etc., will have a serious impact on many people. I want to hear an explanation. I would prefer not to accept it if it cannot be taken without debate. A debate on the issue has been withdrawn from the other House. Perhaps this matter can be clarified for Members.

As for the final issue raised by Senator Brian Hayes, I appreciate the need for a debate on the North of Ireland. However, the antics witnessed yesterday in Stormont will be part of the choreography of the coming weeks with people stepping in and out and with umbrage meeting outrage. I concluded that they should be left alone, behind a locked door and told to come out when ready. I was taken by the original idea that there would be only a black and white picture in yesterday's news with no television coverage. That lasted only an hour or two before we were out on the steps again. I am not saying this in a negative way; they have difficult work to do which they would be best to do alone. They should be left for a week or two before the debate is conducted, though it is important that the debate takes place before 24 November.

A number of years ago I raised the matter of the outrage felt by decent people in Limerick city regarding the brutal assassination of Brian Fitzgerald, head of security in the nightclub that imposed the strictest control of drugs in the city. For his pains he met his death. The Garda must be congratulated, yet again, on continuing with the case and bringing a second person to trial.