Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Fine Gael can avail of Private Members' time and the Adjournment debate. There is great pressure on the Leader regarding debates. Pressing issues should be brought to the leaders of the various groups to consider how debate can best be facilitated.

Senator Ellis called for a debate on the actions necessary to reduce the carnage on our roads. As former Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, I worked closely with the Senator in the past five years and I compliment him on all he has done in this area. The introduction of random breath-testing has reintroduced an element of fear into the law. I understand it is difficult to test motorists for drugs, but New Zealand has perhaps the best system in place for this purpose.

I will allow time to discuss any proposals that might assist the Road Safety Authority and the Department in making the roads safer. This was a particular challenge for the last Government and much hard work was done. The dedication of the Oireachtas Committees on Transport and Enterprise and Small Business was clear and they excelled in bringing forward, on a yearly basis, all the main players and making them accountable. Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock can be included among those who have undertaken great work to make progress in this area. More must be done, however, and there is great public support for the Ministers and committees dealing with this matter. We look forward to assisting them in the coming years.

Senators Quinn, Ormonde and Hanafin called for a debate on parenting and marriage. This is a debate to which we would all like to contribute and I will set aside time for it in the next three or four weeks.

Senator Leyden called for an urgent debate on Dublin City Council's proposal to take water from the beautiful Lough Ree. Senator McFadden and I are in total unison on this matter, and I will assign time for a debate as soon as possible.