Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, brought up the topical, sensitive and sad issue of carnage on the roads, accentuated by incidents involving groups of young men. The recent events in Monaghan brought us all up short but there were disturbing aspects of that crash which people are not inclined to discuss at a sensitive time. Nevertheless, they are serious facts.

He also asked about debating the Morris and Barron tribunals. We have been trying to arrange those debates in this House. The Minister wishes to attend himself, rather than give them to a junior Minister. The question is when he will have the time to do so. We pursue him on the matter every week.

Senator O'Toole spoke about the recent vote in Dingle and the 1946 Local Government Act. The result of 1,005 to 70 was brilliant. He also mentioned Ms O'Keeffe. As the Taoiseach said, she will not lose her home but the case is sub judice at present because she has appealed to the Supreme Court.

Senator Ryan asked for a road traffic debate. He wonders if the people of Dingle have not made a great mistake in their vote. That is up to them. He also called for a boycott of mushrooms until the mushroom pickers receive their due entitlement in pay, etc., because we all talk about fair trade.

Senator Glynn spoke about the editorial referring to councillors and asking if this is democracy or "codocracy". He requested too a rolling debate on health. Senator Finucane said that the public has been asked for observations on the road traffic programme. He also mentioned spray suppression equipment for trucks. We have all experienced dirt from wheels being thrown onto the windscreen when no matter how good one's wipers are, they are not quick enough to clear it. He also mentioned the discussion document on salmon by the three wise men. We will try to organise that debate.

Senator Scanlon mentioned a dispute between home help staff and the HSE as a result of which elderly people cannot get the necessary home help. Senator Norris mentioned salmon drift net fishing and a fund of €30 million to buy out the fishermen. He asks that the Government consider the recommendations which have been submitted to it. He also spoke about the profile of young men involved in car accidents. He said too that he had been to the launch by the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, of a document called Make Your School Safe. This deals with homophobic bullying which can be terrifying for young people.

Senator Feeney also spoke about the tragic deaths in Monaghan at the weekend and the priest who gave a homily at one of the funerals. Everybody is desperately seeking a scapegoat for these sad occasions but in the end young people and their parents must exercise control. Ladling out blame at a time of great sadness is not correct. She also spoke about the need for drug testing as well as alcohol testing. Alcohol used in abusive measures is a drug.

Senator John Paul Phelan wants a debate on drift netting. He also wants to know the status of the primary school medical examination. It would be an ideal subject for an Adjournment matter. From working in Departments, I have found that when an issue is raised as an Adjournment matter, the minds of officials become sharply focused as they prepare a reply.

Senator Maurice Hayes called for a debate on the stay put on Romanian and Bulgarian workers entering the Irish labour force after their countries join the EU. Senator O'Meara requested a debate on the proposed new regulations, promulgated on 9 October, for providers of childcare.

Senator Brady wants to resume the debate on the drugs strategy. He congratulated the Garda on the massive haul it made last night. From the quantities involved, one cannot imagine the huge devastation that would have been wrought on communities. I guess it is only the tip of the iceberg.

Senator Coghlan said he would not move the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2005, No. 8 on the Order Paper. He asked if the recent statement by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the Privacy Bill was a tweaking or a dropping of it.