Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

As it is 1 November, I wish to raise three issues. Today BirdWatch Ireland is to begin trying to accumulate information on the wildlife in our gardens and elsewhere. Will the Leader ask the Department of Education and Science if it will give some support to schools to ensure they maximise the opportunities provided by this initiative and to get young people to look at the environment around them, including the bird life, etc.? Perhaps it will give them another interest other than sitting around drinking, which many of them do.

On 1 November many Irish people take the opportunity to give up alcohol for the month. I echo what was said by others in this regard. A few weeks ago I called for a discussion on our culture of alcohol abuse. Perhaps this is an opportune time with the publication of the new report. However, I was the chair of an Oireachtas committee which produced reports on bringing alcohol under the national drugs strategy and at the time, we pointed out that we did not need any more reports. We know the facts and we need action. We must have a discussion to identify the right action to take. The right action is different from action. It is easier to say something than to do something. As adults, we have a responsibility to be role models for the next generation.

The third issue in regard to 1 November is that it is the day after 31 October. I reiterate my request to the Leader that the animal welfare Bill be discussed in the House soon. According to what has been said on radio, we will only know today the fallout for pets and animals from what happened yesterday. I commend the emergency services on their work last night during which there were 2,000 calls to the Garda, 1,300 to the fire service and 300 to the ambulance service in Dublin alone. I commend those in the emergency services who put their lives at risk on an ongoing basis.