Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

Like my colleagues, I join in condemning the brutal murders and injuries in the North of Ireland. It is very regrettable that we are here today in this fashion. Like others, I can remember the early days when there were recurring murders and injuries. Along with many other genuine Irish people, I was hurt greatly to see this regularly.

We have come a long way by negotiation and discussion. What happened this weekend could have been prevented if there had been a sharing of knowledge and intelligence, not only between the security forces but by the public giving information to the security forces. I plead with anybody who has information on what happened to let the security forces on either side of the Border know it. This is important for the future. In the past when people advised the security forces of proposed actions they prevented death and injury such as we witnessed this weekend. It is only by the sharing of intelligence that we will make progress.

I support my colleague, Senator Ann Ormonde, in her call on the Leader for a debate about the report on education and training. As we move into the arena of economic renewal and the smart economy, it is all the more important to incentivise students to take on academic interests such as those mentioned by Senator Ormonde, for instance, higher mathematics, physics and science.

I welcome the beginning of the process of consideration of the Goodbody report on the taxi industry. There are a number of ills in the industry which urgently require addressing. When the process is completed and following discussions with the industry representatives and with the Joint Committee on Transport and the Minister for Transport, I ask that the House be given an opportunity to debate the amendments to the report.