Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Quinn, Daly and Ó Murchu called for a debate on the challenges we face in the context of planning. I have no difficulty in arranging time for such a debate.

Senators Daly and Cannon requested a debate on housing aid for the elderly and asked that additional staff be appointed by local authorities in respect of this matter. I will pass on their views to the relevant Minister.

Senators Coffey and de Búrca referred to the fire services. The councils are at present involved in discussions on estimates with county managers. The fire services and the libraries were left on the back burner for many years. Those of us who were members of local authorities were obliged to preside over these services when resources were scarce. As with the Exchequer, there is major buoyancy in local authority finances. I ask Senators to return to their council groups to see if the fire services can be placed at the centre of their requests for funding. No Member of this House is more committed to the fire services than the Leader. I am the son of a fire station officer and, following my father's retirement, my brother was fire station officer in Castlepollard for 37 years. I know what it is like to be called out to deal with problems when one does not have the wherewithal to do so. If a debate in this House is needed on fire services I have no difficulty in again setting aside time for it.

With regard to the two Wicklow firemen who unfortunately lost their lives I read in the newspapers that a quarter's pay was not paid to them. This is an all-time low. A quarter's pay is a three hour call out. It is regrettable that fire officers were paid for only the first half-hour or hour, died, and were not paid for the second two hours. Let us call a spade a spade. This Leader fully supports whatever this House can do for firemen. We will keep the matter on the agenda at every session of the 23rd Seanad to see what we can do to assist them and to ensure the people of Ireland have fire services and the wherewithal for fire men and fire women to fight the emergencies with which they must deal morning, noon and night.

Senator Glynn called for a debate on insurance. This is one of the great success stories of the previous Dáil and Seanad. Uninsured vehicles account for 10% of all those on our roads today and 10% of everyone's premium, even that of a person with a no-claims bonus for 30 years, is for the uninsured. This is true for motor, commercial and all other types of insurance. Everyone knows this. Having conducted a large amount of research, I believe the only answer is to introduce a handset similar to that used by the police in New York. They place a handset the size of a mobile telephone to the tax disc on a car windscreen and within 30 seconds are told whether the person is insured and has taxed his or her car. The device can also tell whether an offence was committed within the past five years. The master computer into which everything feeds costs a large amount of money. It is used in New Zealand as well as New York. I would welcome a debate on this to see how we can progress it during the new Dáil and Seanad.

Senator Glynn also called for a debate on organ donations. I have no problem in setting aside time for such a debate. Senator Regan called for an update on the Tribunal of Inquiry Bill. I will make inquiries after the Order of Business and get back to the Senator on the matter.

Senator Leyden called for a debate on membership of the new board of the HSE to be held in the presence of the Minister for Health and Children. I have no problem setting aside time for this. Senator Butler called for a review of the HSE after three or four years of its establishment, a matter which I also have no problem setting aside time.

Senator Patrick Burke called for a debate on tourism. This has been agreed and I gave a commitment to the House that this would happen. If we can have it before the Christmas recess we will. If not, we will have it early in the new year.