Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Leyden, a member of the committee, made a valuable contribution, as did other Members of the Dáil and Seanad. We brought about huge changes and saved the consumer in a very big way.

I would like to think that in the Seanad's five-year term we will take up the issue of energy supply. We will have a report and a review of the progress taking place in energy costs, whether it is electricity or gas, and the alternative energy supplies that this country so badly needs in facing the challenges ahead. I have no problem in allowing a day's debate to tackle the serious challenge of energy supply so the House can assist the Minister and the Department. I ask the spokespersons for the environment to be prepared for this debate as I will be extending the time, possibly to a half hour, for them to set out their proposals. We will take energy supply, energy costs and alternative energy as a challenge to this House for the next five years and make our membership a meaningful one for generations to come.

I thank the Deputy Leader of the House for clarifying the points on incineration made by Senator McCarthy, whom I have admired for a long time as a Member.

Senator Leyden called for the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union to negotiate a meaningful conclusion to the matter of drug distribution. There are up to 1,500 pharmacies, 400 of which could be on the breadline if what they are telling us is correct. An independent consultant or an arbitrator, whose decision would be binding on both sides, would be the way out of this difficulty. It is only ten days away from 1 December. The Minister and Ministers of State are meeting about this issue this morning. Hopefully, an announcement will be made on the matter later today.

Common sense must prevail in this case. The contribution of pharmacies over the generations to life in Ireland must be commended. They are the lifeblood of the country. If one did not have the money to go to a GP, there was a friendly ear at most family-run pharmacies. They were not always into money, as is claimed on many occasions. We do not want to see the multinationals take over the industry and eliminate the family pharmacy. We want to see value for money, competition and a fair deal as enjoyed by other pharmacies across Europe. The peace of mind most pharmacists have given down through the generations must be acknowledged. There are two pharmacies in north Westmeath, available seven days a week. If that service were to go, one could only get one's medicines up to 6 o'clock in the evening. As people can get sick between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m, common sense must prevail on this issue. I thank Senator Leyden for bringing it to the attention of the House.

Senator John Paul Phelan called for a debate on food safety and the Common Agricultural Policy. This is long overdue and I have no difficulty in having such a debate.

Senator Glynn brought to the attention of the House the very serious matter pertaining to fish stocks in our rivers and canals. I will accede to having a debate on this as a matter of urgency. The Senator also called for county councillors to be given access to legal advice on the same level as county managers. A county manager is an employee of a local authority member. A local authority member is answerable to the constituents that appoint him or her on a five-year basis. The same access to legal advice is a democratic right of a local authority member. I have no difficulty in asking the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to attend the House to answer this serious challenge and allegation.

Senator Glynn was nominated to the Seanad by local authorities. Were it not for the support for the local authority members many of us would not be Members. Most Members were local authority members. It was probably the highlight of our careers to be given the vote of confidence by our communities to represent them on a local authority or in Seanad Éireann or Dáil Éireann. It is a privilege. If legal advice is not available to local authority members, it is undemocratic and unconstitutional. I have no difficulty in asking the Minister to clarify this serious issue.

Senator Norris raised a serious issue concerning four Church of Ireland schools. The Minister for Education and Science will be attending the House tomorrow. Perhaps then the Senator will bring this issue to her attention. We in the north Westmeath area are building a new Church of Ireland school. That community has made a marvellous contribution over the past 100 years to the existing school in Castlepollard. I am supportive of minorities and majorities.

The shining example of what has happened in Ireland over the past 40 years has been the improvement in the education system. No one now needs to be the son or a daughter of a wealthy father or mother to get an education. It was the great transformation in my lifetime. The contribution teachers have made in creating the new Ireland has been immense. All Governments and Ministers for Education that made this possible should get a gold medal for their endeavours. I have no difficulty in bringing the matter raised by Senator Norris to the Minister's attention and we will get a response on this available for the Senator tomorrow.

Senators Quinn and Keaveney raised the importance of the Irish language. I support their sentiments. Last week I gave my commitment to a debate on the Irish language before Christmas, if possible. I will pass on the Senators' comments to the Minister.

Senator Keaveney called for an urgent debate on alcohol abuse. This is the scourge of people having more money in their pockets, more disposable income. I have no difficulty in having time set aside for this worthy request.

Senator Keaveney raised the recent bomb scare at the CastleCourt shopping centre. Yesterday evening I spoke to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, who assured me he will be only too pleased to come to the House before Christmas on the many issues relating to foreign affairs raised in the House both yesterday and today.

Senator Coffey called for a debate on home ownership, housing stock and the downturn in the housing market. I have no difficulty in allowing time for a debate on the matter.

Senator Prendergast, an experienced Senator, raised the matter of funding for long-term residential and nursing home care. I have no difficulty with a debate on it. On the issue of the inspectorate, I will contact with the Minister's office this afternoon and will come back directly to the Senator on it.