Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Twomey and many other Senators again expressed their concerns about the abuse of cocaine. As I said yesterday, this issue will be debated in Fianna Fáil Private Members' time next Wednesday. I invite those Members from the legal profession and with health expertise to a meeting in my office at 2.30 p.m. today to assist in framing next Wednesday's motion. It is an unusual departure for the Leader to take but 21 Senators raised this issue yesterday. I acknowledge Senators have expertise in many areas, so I am holding this meeting for those who are genuinely interested in addressing how we will deal with this debate.

While the debate will be held in Private Members' time, which is normally from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., I have an open mind in regard to extending it. We may adjourn the debate because many people are learning new things and we want to be able to assist the Government and the Minister in facing the challenge. Many different genuine views have been expressed in the House and to accommodate all those views, I would like the assistance of those with expertise in the framing of the motion. It will be an all-party motion, although it will be taken in Fianna Fáil time. I would like to meet the leaders of the groups immediately after the Order of Business.

Senator Twomey asked about Leas Cross and I will have inquiries made with the Garda Commissioner on the up-to-date position. Senators Joe O'Toole, Cecilia Keaveney, Paschal Donohoe and Paul Coghlan raised the issue of false insurance numbers to obtain car tax and uninsured vehicles. We all know 10% of vehicles are uninsured. Even if one has a no claims bonus for 30 years, one must still pay 10% for the 10% of people who are uninsured. There is a challenge ahead in this regard. As I stated on the last occasion this was raised on the Order of Business, much research has emerged as a result of the good work done by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the last Dáil. We will have a debate on this issue after the Christmas recess.

Senators Alex White, Dominic Hannigan and Shane Ross expressed grave concerns about the difficulties being experienced on the M50. As we all know, a huge amount of work is being carried out on the M50 and it is due to be completed next year. There will be a third lane on the M50. Those of us who use the N4 and the N3 every morning will see Operation Freeflow in action. This morning I travelled from Castlepollard to the House in one hour and 17 minutes which would have been unheard of 12 months ago.