Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The event provided a glorious opportunity for women to reflect on how far they have progressed in the past 90 years. Lessons should be learned from occurred yesterday.

I will not repeat the matters to which other Senators referred. However, there is one issue which disappeared from the agenda for two or three days as a result of the food crisis, namely, the horrific murder that occurred in the East Wall area. When confronted by groups of children of 12, 13 and 14 years of age gathering together in the absence of parental control, one must ask where we and society are going wrong. Who has responsibility in this regard? Is it the Garda, parents, teachers, Deputies and Senators or people in general? There is a need for a debate on this matter. Such a debate should focus on parents and their role and responsibilities. Members can shout from the rooftops about this issue all day but it will do no good, particularly if by 6 p.m. young boys and girls are running around the streets under no one's control.

There is a need for a major debate on society. The economy is in a downturn and people will be obliged to change their lifestyles, the way they work and even their jobs. It will also be necessary to change society. We must start from scratch. Let us engage in a debate that will encompass everything — human rights, whether particular agencies should be rationalised, etc. A full day's business should be devoted to a debate on this issue. I compliment Senator Ó Murchú on referring to what occurred on the Order of Business in the House yesterday when there were major issues to discuss.