Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Leyden's comments on the part-time fire service. I too call on the Leader to invite the Minister for a debate on this issue. This is of particular urgency when one considers that in many of our growing satellite towns, the firefighting service has not grown in tandem.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to this House for a debate on the operation of funfair and playground equipment in view of the serious accidents that have occurred in recent months? I am particularly concerned about certification and the period for which licences are operational.

I join Senator Alex White in calling on the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with responsibility for integration policy, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to attend a debate in this House on integration and immigration. I congratulate the Minister of State on his appointment. In view of the report published today by the Intercultural Workplace Project, such a debate would be timely.