Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

He made some very challenging requests of me this morning and I will do whatever I can. I cannot make a commitment to the Senator right now but I will see what I can do and come back to him later today.

Senator Callely raised the issue of road safety, particularly tyre thread depth levels. I will pass on his great concern and views to the Minister.

Senator McCarthy raised the matter of Rockall and requested the Minister for Foreign Affairs come to the House to discuss the talks which will take place at a future date. I have no difficulty in allowing that.

Senator Coffey raised the issue of intellectual disability, mental health and matters pertaining to those unfortunate men and women finding themselves in psychiatric nursing facilities and homes as psychiatric patients. I have no difficulty allowing a debate on this.

There is an unwritten precedent in this House which I will highlight for Senators this morning. A great many topics are being raised for the Leader to consider, as we can see daily. If we visit a particular topic, we do not normally go back to it for at least six months unless there are significant changes in that field. If I allow enough time for that topic to get a very good airing on the floor of the House, by the time we get through the various Government portfolios six months will have passed anyway.

If somebody feels very strongly about a particular issue, when it is agreed by the leaders to allocate time, all interested Senators should make themselves available for the discussion in the House. This is what we try to do on an organised basis.