Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I was delighted with the significant "Yes" vote across the country but I must express my disappointment that it was not similar in Donegal. I also believe, just like after the first Lisbon treaty referendum, those people who voted "No" should be asked why. It may throw up some interesting answers as to the claims made by the "No" side. It is to be hoped such an exercise could allay those voters' fears.

I respect people's right to vote either way. Yesterday, I attended a Council of Europe meeting at which the response from other EU countries was unbelievably positive. The youth directorate made great play of ensuring we told the people back in Ireland that they thought we did the right thing. They were proud to see us back in the centre of the European Union.

Will the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform attend the House to discuss the current status of the devolving of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland. Those of us in Donegal encounter an increased level of security when travelling in the North. I accept this is due to a real terrorist risk which I do not underestimate.

On the other side of security, I commend all involved in the recent police forces' GAA tournament in Belfast in which the Garda team beat the New York Police Department, the London Metropolitan Police and the PSNI to win the tournament. It was a queer change in times to have a GAA tournament of the security forces from four different backgrounds in Belfast and attended by the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland, MLA.

At this time of year we always talk about Hallowe'en and the danger of fireworks. This lunchtime I watched a report on UTV on the concerted effort that will be made through television and radio advertisements to achieve a two thirds reduction in injuries caused by fireworks in the North. I ask that Senators contact RTE and the broadcasting media to see if they will and can contribute to making this Hallowe'en a safer one for all who are going to enjoy themselves, legally or otherwise, with fireworks. Too often we commend the work of the fire brigade etc. after the events that occur during Hallowe'en rather than trying to pre-empt those events.