John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I join other Senators in asking the Leader to arrange a debate on the crime figures announced yesterday. There are significant increases under a number of headings and most notably in regions such as those I represent in a large rural constituency. Many elderly people, particular those living alone, are in a state of fear. The announcement in the McCarthy report that further rural Garda stations would be closed has added to this. I know the Minister has indicated he will not implement that recommendation, but we should have a pre-budget discussion in the House on the crime figures and their implication for policing at community level across the country in the light of the cutbacks we know are coming in the budget.

I have asked the Leader on a number of occasions to have a debate on school transport, but we have not had it. I am told the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Haughey, is doing something, but I would like to know what it is. Perhaps we could have a discussion in the House on the outdated catchment areas for primary and secondary schools across the country, which mean thousands of children cannot be transported to the schools nearest to where they live. The catchment area rules were drawn up in the 1960s.

I join Senators Fitzgerald and Prendergast who asked for urgent action to be taken on cardiac operations at Crumlin children's hospital. Baby Joy and her family, as well as hundreds of other families, find themselves in vulnerable positions. Surely to God, despite the country's economic circumstances, if we cannot ensure the health and well-being of the most vulnerable, sick children, we are at nothing and we should all give up.

I join other Senators in asking for a debate before the budget on its formulation. Perhaps, as Senator Norris pointed out, there should be a rolling debate on that issue during which Ministers could come to the Seanad and discuss what is being talked about at Cabinet level and elsewhere. We might be able to have some useful input before the announcement is made on 9 December.