John Carty (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Boyle's call for a debate on the issues raised on last night's "Prime Time" programme. It is a damning indictment of circumstances in this country that people must live in the conditions portrayed on the programme. I ask that the Leader would contact the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to ask him to achieve co-ordination between the community welfare officers and the councils so that subvention payments would not be made to those who are not providing proper accommodation. In the programme shown last night, the contempt shown by the landlord or landlord's agent when he was asked proper questions about asking tenants to live in such conditions, and his attitude, demonstrated that such people have no respect for humans.

On a lighter note — I hope I will not incur the wrath of Senator Harris — I can assure Senator Leyden that in my constituency and my local town, petrol is still only €1.16 a litre.