Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I note there is a proposal to make gift vouchers compulsorily valid for five years. This follows concerns that such vouchers, which are offered as Christmas gifts, can expire if left unused. The Leader should ask the relevant Minister to move with the same speed on party pills, which is an issue that Senator Wilson and I have raised in recent months. Coming up to Christmas, party pills constitute a potential life and death matter. It is as serious as the problem concerning pork products. By March 2009, we must introduce a compulsory ban, so those steps should be taken now. Following an Adjournment debate on this matter last week, there was an indication that such a move could be made by ministerial order or regulation, rather than by legislation. Therefore, I ask the Leader to seek clarification on whether it is possible to do so before Christmas. In that way party pills can be banned, thus averting a danger to young and old alike.

I welcome the agreement on pork products that has been reached in recent hours. Will the Leader ask the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to confirm that this will be an all-Ireland agreement? The Minister and Minister of State should examine the all-Ireland dimension which is relevant for pig producers, processors and markets in Donegal and other Border counties. Whatever success we may have achieved in this regard, we also want to have it on an all-Ireland basis.

While supporting the resumption of consumers eating pork and bacon products, and following Senator O'Toole's request to examine how our days are structured, if we all eat a big breakfast, as Senator Leyden wants us to, will the Leader look at one or two options? The Oireachtas gym is open from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. If, like yesterday, our sos is from 2.30 p.m. until 3.30 p.m., we will miss the opportunity to run off our big breakfasts. Will the Leader ensure that the sos coincides with the gym's opening hours or that those hours are extended? In that way we could have the benefit of the big breakfast with pork products while retaining the option of running it off afterwards.