Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I add my support to Senator Fitzgerald's amendment to the Order of Business. My first area of concern is the pharmacy dispute. I have discovered over the past few days, through phone calls and meeting people, that there is a real fear among older and sick people across this country about access to medication. It is now clear that contingency plans were not in place and the proper independent mediator established at the outset should have been left in place and adhered to by the Minister. It is very wrong. I ask the Deputy Leader that a statement on the dispute be made before the conclusion of business.

I concur with remarks on homelessness. What struck me most remarkably about the "Prime Time" programme last night was the fact we have state of the art buildings available to homeless people. As a result of embargoes on staffing and ludicrous reductions of expenditure in penny-pinching of an irrelevant type, the buildings are not being staffed and used. That is criminal beyond measure. I ask the Deputy Leader to address that question and have the Minister face the issue in the House.

Senator Ormonde raised the issue of alcohol. I am a great believer that it can be best addressed through a legislative framework and regulation. I put it to the Cathaoirleach and the Deputy Leader in particular that the proposition should be debated here and brought before Government that we put in place an infrastructure for the young people in this country to give them an alternative. In every town in the country there should be a drop-in café for young people. This could be achieved cheaply and could result in a very effective social centre and alternative to the drink culture.