Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I join Senators in condemning the attack on Mr. Prionsias de Rossa, MEP. That cannot be condoned by the membership of any political party. No matter how strongly people may feel about an issue, they do not have the right to make personal attacks such as the one made on Mr. de Rossa. I join with Senators in strongly condemning those who carried out that attack.

Senators Alex White, de Búrca and Bacik called for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to have a debate on e-mail and Internet activity. I will endeavour to put time aside for such a debate. Senator de Búrca drew our attention to the fact that today is Earth Day and congratulated the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. I agree with the Senator's sentiments regarding the challenge of climate change.

I join with Senators Reilly, Buttimer and Mullen in congratulating Senator Leyden on his appointment as vice president of the political grouping within the Council of Europe. I also wholeheartedly congratulate Senator Cannon on being elected leader of the Progressive Democrats Party and I wish him well in his appointment. I look forward to working with him as the leader of his group. I commiserate with Senator O'Malley and I also wish her well in the future.

Senators O'Sullivan, Quinn and Boyle called for a debate on energy security. I will set time aside for this, particularly to address the serious issues faced by Senator O'Sullivan's constituency of Kerry North.

Senator Hannigan sought a debate on broadband speeds. Everyone supports the Senator's request and this issue will be debated at the earliest opportunity. I will pass on Senator Harris's strong views on the issue he raised to the Taoiseach.

Senator Twomey referred to the two-hour debate to be held later with the Minister for Health and Children. The Senator may not be aware that this debate will represent a new departure with the Minister engaging in a question and answer session for the final ten minutes of the debate. She will be present for two hours and this was agreed by the group leaders. The Senator should confer with his party leader if he wishes to raise a serious issue at the meeting of group leaders before the Order of Business on the first sitting day of the week.