Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for a debate across the Departments of Education and Science, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Health and Children in light of the death of a second young Polish man this morning. A few weeks ago we held an effective and worthwhile debate on alcohol and drug abuse. While the Celtic tiger society is affluent, certain fabrics in our society have broken down. It is not all the fault of the Health Service Executive. One has to consider families, homes and parents. We awoke this morning to hear of the death of that young man, another death by suicide in Westport and the case of a young girl being bound and gagged by colleagues in her classroom in Galway a few days ago.

I call the youngsters in Drimnagh young thugs. One wonders what is in their system that they can commit murder in cold blood in broad daylight. This is worrying and I agree with Senator Fitzgerald that it requires an urgent debate.