Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I join my colleagues, Senators Hannigan and Buttimer, in condemning the terrible situation in Cork Harbour and, like them, I request the Minister to come to the House. I attended a graduation ceremony in the National Maritime College last week and it is a fine establishment. I am aware of the huge catchment area which has 20,000 people living and working between Ringaskiddy and Cobh. It is a scandal to have toxic waste lying there, possibly harming the health of all those people.

Yesterday I wished to speak about addiction and those who are addicted to gambling. The Irish Times covered this subject comprehensively yesterday and I applaud it for doing so. I ask the Leader to organise an urgent debate with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, who is on the record as saying that he intends to liberalise our gambling laws, especially those concerning casinos. This would create a new form of legislation with regard to this serious issue in our country.

I am not a killjoy and I know that many people can gamble in moderation and enjoy it. As a nation, however, we are in denial regarding the considerable problem of gambling addiction and the heartache it causes. We do not even have a psychiatrist in this country who has expertise in this area.