Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise an issue to which Senator Fitzgerald alluded, namely, the lack of closed circuit television throughout the country. In our town of Athlone a serious situation has arisen where three ladies were assaulted. It was clear from the "Crimecall" television programme last night that the Garda has not yet apprehended anyone for these crimes. We have had planning permission for CCTV in Athlone since 1998. Just prior to the general election, the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced with great fanfare that we would have it in a few weeks. Mullingar is in the same position. Will the Leader appeal to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide funding in the budget for CCTV and come to the House to tell Members the reason we do not have it?

I agree with Senator White about the urgency of getting the Minister of State with responsibility for children to come to the House. I support her in everything she said. It is middle income families who suffer. While the disadvantaged will be looked after, we cannot keep piling the responsibility for child care onto the middle income group.