Seanad debates

Wednesday, 13 February 2008

3:00 pm

Photo of Donie CassidyDonie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, Coghlan, Doherty, Healy Eames, Burke and many others called for an urgent debate on pharmacies and the Health Service Executive. I compliment all those who are doing their best to assist in the difficulty being experienced by pharmacies, the HSE and ourselves as public representatives. A meeting of the joint committee is taking place and the Minister is endeavouring to do everything she can. I can ask the Minister to come to this House at an early stage for an urgent and forthright debate. We have had such a debate with her. I have been a long time in this House and the interest generated at the proceedings yesterday and the views of both sides gave a little clarity to the issue. I look forward to a possible all-party motion coming from the committee on this. I cannot agree to an amendment to the Order of Business today because the first I heard about it was on the Order of Business. That is the right of any individual Senator but if I can facilitate the request as soon as possible, then this will happen.

Senator Coghlan complimented me on my views last week on road safety. The Senator is a long-time Member of this House and I fully agree with him regarding the media coverage, which has been incredible. We put road safety centre stage and to get such media coverage was unbelievable. The contents of many requests made to me last week were all matters relating to road safety. If 90% of the people of Europe, America and Canada are going one way, we had better join them. On the other hand, road safety must be the paramount issue. Senator Hannigan brought to our attention that 25% of all drivers killed last year were not wearing safety belts. Surely manufacturers have a great responsibility to put in a limiter that a car engine cannot start until the seat belt is engaged. These are simple, commonsense proposals. Senator Coghlan has always been to the fore with common sense in this House.

Senator Fitzgerald spoke about the matter which Gay Byrne pointed out in The Irish Times. The Minister's office was in contact on many occasions last week with the chief executive officer of the Road Safety Authority, Mr. Noel Brett, and we are fortunate to have him in that position, as we were with his predecessor, Mr. Eddie Shaw. I am sure that will allay the fears of that very competent——

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