David Norris (Independent)

The archbishop also made a good point when he argued that the scheduling of young people's matches is sometimes regrettable. Young people are dropped off at the church gates and carted off to play games, missing mass in the process, and brought back when such activities are over. As an old fogey, I think one develops one's habits at a young age. Going to church is habit-forming. I am glad that I formed such a habit early in my life. While I do not claim to be a good person, I think going to church is a good habit of mine.

The status of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal has been raised again today. I look forward to the debate in this House on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008. The front page of today's The Irish Times reports that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has directly criticised the comfortable words of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the other House, when he appeared to suggest that the office supports the Irish system. We need to examine carefully the legislation I have mentioned. It is not, given that the UNHCR has made 76 recommendations on it, the perfect instrument the Minister suggests.

I join colleagues in condemning the drastic and tragic use by appalling criminals of armed ten year olds as pawns in the vicious game they are playing. A 13 year old boy was involved in a serious shooting incident in Limerick. Given that the House is currently considering the Passports Bill 2007, perhaps it would be appropriate to provide for the putting of a mark in the passports of those who involve children in the use of arms. I am sure that proposal needs to be examined in the context of civil rights, etc. The use of a passport mark would draw the attention of officials in other countries to the presence of these dangerous people.

I support Senator O'Toole's remarks about schools. It would be very good if we had a debate on this issue. Like Members on all sides of the House, I have received appeals from people who feel their schools are not being dealt with in an appropriate manner or with the proper degree of speed. A distraught woman in Dublin 24 e-mailed me yesterday to tell me that children in her local school are being taught in rat-infested prefabricated cabins. Teachers in the school have to negotiate their way through the playground in such circumstances. While I assured the woman in question that I would try to raise the matter in this House, I told her I was not sure what I could do. I pointed out that it was a matter for the local council and her local representatives in the Dáil. I said that Senators could play a role as part of a major debate on the matter.

I hate to disagree with Senator Fitzgerald, who is an excellent leader of the Fine Gael group in the House.