Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I concur with Senator Ó Domhnaill in regard to the 2012 Olympic Games. I am a former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs which drew up a report on this matter. Given that the committee structure is not up and running yet I hope we can have a debate on this matter to maximise information exchange. It would be appropriate to have the Minister present.

We are in the run-in to both Halloween and Christmas. Each year at this time the issue of the use of illegal bangers and fireworks comes up. I refer to this matter in the context of animal welfare. In the run-up to Christmas many people will be thinking of giving pets as presents, but we should remember the adage that an animal is for life, not for Christmas. Halloween is a time that can be very scary for pets. In that context, is it possible to invite the Minister to the House to discuss when the animal welfare Bill will materialise? Such a debate would provide an opportunity to give an input into what the legislation should contain before the Bill comes before the House.

In the context of World Mental Health Day, I call for a debate on the role played by alcohol abuse in mental health. At a minimum we should push at both national and EU level for a watershed of 9 p.m. for the advertising of alcohol. There is no point in discussing issues such as suicide or mental health and avoiding the elephant in the room — our cultural attitude to alcohol abuse.