Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

The House must note with concern that the nurses' dispute appears to be getting worse by the hour and the entrenched position being taken by the Government is not helping in this regard. It is worth noting in the commentaries and in the radio phone-in programmes that many people are unable to distinguish whether the cancellation of elective surgery is due to the work to rule by the nurses or has become so much part of the day-to-day life of hospital admissions. It is a commentary on how the hospital service is under such pressure and in such dire need that it is at breaking point. I note comments by doctors that if this dispute continues and in particular if it escalates next week, the system will be in danger of breaking down. I call on the Government to work to ensure it does not go to that point.

I support the remarks by Senator Brian Hayes regarding the modernisation of the Garda force. Ms O'Toole is in many ways a champion for modernisation and I believe she has the full support of every member of the Garda Síochána in that regard. While the Criminal Justice Bill contains some good elements, the basic modernisation and equipping of the Garda force and giving it what it needs, especially in the fight against organised crime and drug crime, would be much more useful than draconian legislation.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on the need for much more extensive psychological support and services to be made available, not only to children but also to families? The modern Irish family, especially the young family, is under such pressure that a far greater level of support is needed than was available heretofore, yet this support is not available. Psychologists are dealing with family breakdown and the extraordinary pressures upon the modern Irish family. One must question whether this Government has any notion of what is needed. The House needs to consider the provision, through the schools system, of a far greater level of support for children and families.