Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join with my colleague, Senator O'Donovan, in asking the Leader to press the Minister to come into the House for a debate on the Cork-Swansea ferry. It is critical to regional development in the southern region and particularly in the Cork-Kerry tourism area.

I join with Senator Cummins in raising the issue of drugs and, in particular, "Prime Time Investigates" last. Like Senator Harris, I congratulate RTE on its approach to the problem. The programme last night would have been lost to the generation to which it is most applicable. I appeal to RTE to put the video of the programme on youtube where it can be accessed by thousands of young people.

Taking on board the views of Senator Bacik, I call for a debate on the whole issue of sentencing as regards drug use, including those who deal in and sell drugs. The Judiciary has a critical role in stopping this problem. Unlike Senator Butler I do not think those who deal in drugs are professionals, they are low life and we should not call them professionals.

I call for a debate on the whole issue of the housing strategy and homelessness in the context of the Simon Community report today which has highlighted the death of 55 people. It behoves all of us today to take cognisance of the fact that there are families suffering as a consequence of choices made by individuals. This is about fellow human beings and I hope we can have a constructive debate. We had the Minister here a couple of weeks ago and he is a decent person. The national drugs strategy needs to be reviewed urgently and I ask the Leader to arrange for that debate in the context of the drugs strategy.