Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Everyone, not just those in the political system but the entire country, must come on side in respect of this challenge. Many good proposals have been made. The Garda Commissioner said today that he needs the total co-operation of everyone in the State. Thank God for closed circuit television systems and for private enterprise which is making CCTV systems available to gardaí to assist them in their efforts in this respect.

Fear left the law in respect of alcohol but is now coming back with random breath testing. Fear must enter the law in respect of drugs. The views of a professional such as Senator Corrigan who has considerable experience in a certain area of expertise, which she relayed to the House today, must be taken on board.

I appeal to those who were eminent legal people before they became Members of this House and those who were directly involved in the health services to convene this week in a sub-committee of all parties in the House. I will ask Senator O'Donovan, the former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Constitution and a man of great expertise and immense experience, to chair that sub-committee this week to see how best we can serve the House next week in respect of the Government's allocating Private Members' business to have a meaningful debate. Such a debate would help us to see how we can progress and assist the Department, Minister, Government and the people in the challenge that lies ahead in respect of the horrific experiences everyone on this island has had, especially the poor unfortunate families of those who have died so young and so tragically over recent days and weeks.

Many of these things were not planned. Accidents are never planned but just happen. Unfortunately, these things have happened and we must come together as a community to deal with them. If there is one thing for which the people can be acknowledged, it is their spirit and willingness to rally to the cause whenever they are called upon to do so. I call on the people to come together and eliminate the scourge of the drug abuser and drug pusher from society.

I live in a small village called Castlepollard of which I am very proud because I was born and reared there. Last weekend, there were 11 break-ins in two nights in our community. A group of old people were watched going to Mass on Saturday night. Three individuals with a particular accent came to our village, broke into their houses and stole their duvets, all the various candlesticks and everything that could be stolen and put into car boots. They then had the audacity to break into the priest's house. Mass was supposed to finish at 8 p.m. but it finished at 7.55 p.m. and luckily Fr. Moore was in the house when they arrived. This took place for money to pay for drugs.

The case of the housewife struck me last night. She had to pay a drug taker money every week or he would beat her up. This is outrageous, citizens are becoming prisoners in their homes. As legislators, we have responsibility for this. The talking has been done and it is time for us to get together, under Senator O'Donovan, in the sub-committee which will be convened by tomorrow morning. We will be able to report progress and confirm when the meeting is taking place.

Senators Norris, Hannigan, Bacik and others expressed views regarding the human rights report and extraordinary rendition. We have much legislation in the House next week. I have given Government time to the drugs debate. I have no problem having a debate on this at the earliest possible time.

Senator Hannigan called for a debate on lifestyle and health of senior citizens, school goers and all sections of our community. It is a worthwhile suggestion. Walking is the easiest and cheapest form of exercise. Without trivialising the issue, the Labour Party asked one question at the last general election, asking people if they were happy.