Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom aontú leis an tSeanadóir Ó Dochartaigh a iarr ar an Cheannaire díospóireacht nó ráitis mar gheall ar chúrsaí Gaeilge a eagrú. D'ardaigh na Seanadóirí Ó Domhnaill agus Ó Murchú an tábhar céanna le déanaí. I support the call by Senator Pearse Doherty for a debate on the Irish language. It was very heartening today to hear the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Pöttering, address us in his few words of Gaeilge and to refer to the fact that Irish is now an official language of the EU. That is a victory for many Members on all sides of this House who regularly championed the cause of the Irish language. I am delighted we are now in a position whereby Irish is an officially recognised language of the European Union, as acknowledged by Mr. Pöttering in his address earlier today.

Senator Feeney raised the very important matter of the treatment of anorexia nervosa. I have dealt with that issue in my profession on many occasions. There is a very strong argument to be made for a properly equipped unit to be located in the midlands. Such a unit would not require many beds but would provide a very important service. It is regrettable that the incidence of anorexia nervosa is on the increase and in that context, the argument for a dedicated unit is well made.

I have raised the matter of organ donation on previous occasions. It is a vexed question but one with which we must deal. In many cases, as I have said previously, we are burying life with death. The organs of people involved in serious accidents could be used to extend the lives of sufferers with various ailments. I ask again that this debate take place as a matter of urgency.

Perhaps my party spokesperson, Senator Feeney, and others will liaise with the Leader to organise a debate on the increasing incidence of diabetes. I argued for a debate on this issue for two years during the previous Seanad before it was granted. It was a short debate but this issue must be tackled. If diabetes were eradicated, many hospitals could close. There are many reasons the high incidence of diabetes should be centre stage.