Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I support Senator Ryan's call for a debate on the National Competitiveness Council's report. The fact that we are so low down in so many areas is frightening. The trend is even more frightening. Like everybody, I continually meet people from other parts of the world who ask how we managed to make such a success of the Irish economy. The signs in this report are that we will not be able to hold onto that strengthened economy if we do not do something. Our position at the bottom of the league for broadband is one example, and there are many others. However, the trend worries me. The danger is that the young people of this country are becoming cocky enough to believe nothing can go wrong. The signs are here that things could go wrong. I call for an urgent debate on that.

Yesterday Senator Ryan said that a large number of those found driving without insurance could not be traced afterwards. Yesterday's newspapers reported that approximately 85% of those found could not be traced. I cannot believe that figure and it is unlikely to be correct. If we impound a car that is parked illegally or driven by somebody who is caught drink driving, why cannot we impound the car of somebody who does not have his or her driving licence when caught in any other offence? It is in our hands. If we want to conquer death on the roads that is one area we could tackle.

A plague of graffiti has hit Dublin. I do not know if it has been around for some time but I have noticed it recently. Beautiful walls have been covered in graffiti by, I think, teenagers. Yesterday I passed a lovely new library in Baldoyle and there is a huge piece of graffiti on the wall. The neighbours must have seen these people. They could not have done it in a few minutes. As citizens or parents we must stop this happening. A white wall close to my home was recently defaced and an off-duty garda caught the two young men, teenagers, who did it and went to their parents. One parent said "boys will be boys" while I am delighted to say that the other parent said "my son will clean that wall with a toothbrush".