Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for doing so. He stated that the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuiv, could attend to the matter of erosion on the island.

Senator Tuffy requested a debate on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and the victims thereof before the general election is called. She also requested a review of the Garda Síochána and the need for an independent Garda authority. She further called for a debate on the recent report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals.

Senator Ó Murchú stated that Mr. Paddy MacEntee made a valiant effort to break through the silence. The Senator praised Senator Brian Hayes and stated that the families must be protected and be presented with some way of achieving retribution. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that Garda bashing is not acceptable.

Senator Coghlan praised the MacEntee report. He also referred to the sea walls at Valentia and Inch.

Senator Mansergh stated that historical files are never closed. He also referred to the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and the fact that a new TGV train travelled at a speed of 320 mph earlier this week. The Senator raised an interesting concept, namely, that members of the police force and the Army should be referred to as "citizen gardaí" and "citizen soldiers".