Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I support the earlier calls for a debate on the elderly and ask the Leader to accommodate it. Elderly people in urban and rural areas are concerned about proposed cuts and barriers to accessing basic services to which they are entitled. These people built our country and we should not forget them, even in recessionary times. It is a debate well worth having. I ask the Leader to provide time for a debate on services for the elderly.

I concur with the comments of my colleague, Senator Cummins, and I offer my condolences to the Barry family in Waterford on the sad passing of Paddy Barry. We all have to ask ourselves whether mandatory sentencing or another provision should be introduced to deal with criminals who break into the houses of vulnerable elderly people and what is the role of the Government, the Garda and society in supporting our elderly people. Every Member could make a proper contribution to such a debate.