Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

The Cathaoirleach is as surprised as I am at the speed of the Order of Business.

Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of Derek O'Toole and the recent Lucan tragedy, what he read in the media and the subsequent appeal by the young man's mother. Everyone knows the phrase "known to the gardaí" is a loaded one and the meaning behind it. I believe it was an attempt to smear before the investigation got under way. Hearing the interview with the young man's mother, I felt all she wanted was fair play. It is not the media but what information is given to the media. It was wrong if this was an attempt to smear before the investigation got under way. The mother was clear that her son was not involved with any underworld grouping or crime.

Senator Brian Hayes also raised the matter of the referendum on children's rights. The Opposition asked that it should not be rushed. From reading the newspapers, I understand the referendum will be in the autumn. If that is the situation, we should be glad of it. There must be a debate on the referendum and we will endeavour to have one in the House.

Senator O'Toole agreed with Senator Brian Hayes on the matter of the Lucan tragedy. He asked for a debate on the ten steps of progress during tSeachtain na Gaeilge. I agree the late 1980s were a difficult time for the education system but we managed to get through them without any scars to our reputations. He pointed to the lack of physical education facilities in schools and that in some counties 70% of schools have none. With rising obesity levels among children, there is a need for proper exercise. I hope this matter can be taken up tomorrow night on Private Members' business.

Senator MacSharry asked for a debate on the bio-energy action plan published in advance of the White Paper. Such a debate would be useful.

Senator Bannon highlighted the recent NESF report on improving the delivery of public services which I read and thought was excellent. It stated people telephoning a public service should be answered properly. It wants public servants to become advocates for people. They should be on the side of the consumer rather than the consumer having to constantly push and not get anything. It reported on the need for courtesy in public servants' dealings with the public. Courtesy, particularly on the telephone, should be an everyday standard. Rather than the Government giving lessons on courtesy and answering telephones, it should be down to each public service such as Eircom, the HSE or a local authority.

Senator Ó Murchú heard the interview with the mother of the young man recently killed in Lucan. She made a heart-felt appeal for fair play for her son. The Senator said that, if there were any spin, it was all wrong.

Senator Tuffy also raised the young man's case, stating her desire that confidence in the Garda be restored. She suggested that the ombudsman might start his career with the case in question. The Senator said that 500,000 people required further training, according to a recent report, also raising the anomaly whereby pensioners are not entitled to money under the back to work scheme. Debating the report on further training in the House might be useful since we are undergoing great economic expansion based on construction. However, that will eventually tail off because it cannot be sustained at this rate for ever, and we should look ahead to determine future needs.

Senator Fitzgerald sought a debate on the national skills strategy report, mentioning the volume of work being done. He made the sensible observation that parents are driving their children right up to the doors of their schools, where their darlings disembark, and wondered whether they might not simply walk. I presume that is what he meant, but in many cases it might not be safe for the children and that may be why parents act as they do.

Senator Norris raised libelling the dead, on which matter I believe he is to table an amendment. He should read Fintan O'Toole's column in today's edition of The Irish Times.