Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I have been kept up to date in recent years by a man who suffered from tuberculosis and whose parents contracted tuberculosis in their 70s. He is very concerned at the rising figures amounting to an increase of 21% in the incidence of tuberculosis. I refer to a report from a physician in the Mater Hospital who also notes a similar increase and the danger of a pandemic. We have taken our eye off the ball with regard to tuberculosis. I ask that the debate with the Minister for Health and Children be broadened to include this subject. The concern is that this disease may be coming from abroad and that we have no controls to identify the cause of this frightening rise in the incidence of tuberculosis.

Last night I was in the new pier D in Dublin Airport and I wish to congratulate those who built this so successfully. I was reminded of the country's immigration services and the fact that the Schengen Agreement affords us the opportunity to join the other 26 member states but which will expect us to be responsible for the control of terrorism and infectious diseases. These matters should be at the top of the agenda because we have a responsibility in this regard.