Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

One of the two issues I raise concerns the Czech President. I concur with Senator Alex White that we should fight the battle on issues rather than on personalities. I, therefore, ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Defence to the House for a discussion on the Common Security and Defence Policy elements of the Lisbon treaty. The policy is one of common defence rather than common offence and has no connection with conscription or other matters used as sticks with which to beat advocates of the treaty. It is very important to have clarity on that issue and the House is a good place to achieve that. A debate on this issue would also provide Senators with an opportunity to discuss barracks closures and outline savings that may be achieved by leaving barracks, notably in County Donegal, unmanned in the future. I believe the Minister for Defence will be pleased to come before the House for a debate on these issues.

When people refer to the crime debate, they are really referring to the drug debate. It is very important in any debate on crime to focus not only on criminals but also on the most important issue, namely, the fact that there would be no supply without demand. All of us have a role to play in ensuring there is no demand for drugs. Drug use and thuggery is associated with that. The burial of Shane Geoghegan today is an appalling vista. Drug dealing is the third largest profit-making activity after the arms industry and the oil industry. We, must, therefore, focus on how to reduce the demand, about which we can take action, thereby ending the battle of supply. I again congratulate all those involved in the major haul this week. I suggest we increase the use of drug dogs within our communities. If potential users are aware they can be caught, that might be as much of a help in minimising the use of illicit drugs as anything else.