David Norris (Independent)

I understand, and I do not wish to waste the time of the House. I will put down another amendment as the last time I did so I obtained an extension of ten minutes.

I join with those who celebrate the nomination of Archbishop Brady to the College of Cardinals. This country has made a disproportionate contribution to the Roman Catholic Church over many centuries and it is appropriate this is recognised in the same way as Ireland has made a disproportionate contribution to the world of literature. As a Trinity representative, I am extremely glad that one of our graduates, whom I remember in the English department, has won the Man Booker award. Anne Enright is a wonderful, witty, unpretentious person and writes brilliantly.

I ask for a debate on the question of confidentiality. I am very worried, as other people must be, by revelations that a civil servant passed on information to his brother who used it for burglaries and other criminal activity. The civil servant in question stated in evidence that he had browsed through other people's records and that this was a common practice in the Civil Service. If it is a common practice in the Civil Service for people to look up, talk about and use in a malign way these records, something should be done about it under the Data Protection Act.

I am glad the matter of Susie Long was raised. I raised the matter a number of months ago and stated then as I do now that this was a woman sentenced to death for the crime of poverty. Professor John Crown spoke on the wireless today. He should come to the Joint Committee on Health and Children to give his ideas from the coalface on how we can deliver an efficient health service to our people.

I am also glad the methadone issue was raised. I understand my colleague, Senator Ross, raised the matter of pharmacists on an Adjournment debate. This is critical and involves vulnerable people who will find it difficult to access the drugs. The Health Service Executive has put forward an ad hoc scheme. The people involved have extreme difficulty handling the scheme and may well resort to street crime. This is grossly irresponsible and it is mean-minded to hit the most vulnerable, weak and confused elements of society and we will have the inevitable backwash on ordinary citizens.