Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

On the agricultural situation, which everybody acknowledges is serious, I concur with those who have called for support from the EU. The EU has a role to play in terms of supporting what is an extremely difficult situation for Ireland.

Suggestions have been made that all the pork products should not have been withdrawn from the shelves, but it is important health is paramount and is seen to be so. Ultimately, when this issue is behind us, confidence will be restored, in particular in the beef and pork sectors, as a consequence of taking that action. In time, there will be a need to ascertain the circumstances that gave rise to this situation. Any derogation from responsible management in the private or the public sector must be brought to light and appropriate action must be taken against those responsible for what happened in this instance.

I concur with Senator Norris's comments in regard to the Veritas advertisement. As has been stated, advertising was the subject of a debate in this House. I noted with interest what the Minister of State, Deputy Trevor Sargent, had to say the other night on "Questions and Answers". I spoke privately with the Minister involved and I hope that appropriate amendments will be made on Committee Stage of the relevant legislation.

This raises a more serious issue, namely, the appointment of people to bodies. I have yet to meet anybody who had an objection to the Veritas advertisement, other than the members of the Broadcasting Commission who made the decision. We need to examine appointments to all these boards and the manner in which the law is interpreted. If the law is the issue, it should be reviewed, but in many instances people interpret the law to suit their personal opinions. That should be examined not only in this case but in a range of areas.

I wish to refer to the extraordinary statement by Senator Regan, in his imperial contribution, who seemed to dismiss a proposal that there should be any attempt to control guns, particularly handguns, in our society.