David Norris (Independent)

I hold no brief for Arthur Scargill but the coal board and the Tory Government unilaterally started closing mines and the miners' strike was in response to that.

I ask the Leader to consider extending the ten minutes allotted for questions on NAMA, subject to there being enough questions. It is not sufficient for such a serious matter as NAMA because it only allows for two questions and replies if they are to be in any way comprehensive.

Can the Leader give a specific date for the introduction of the civil partnership Bill? Will it be introduced in this House? Is it correct that certain conservative religious interests have hired the services of a public relations firm? A fair amount of misinformation is being spread about such as the claim that photographers will, for the first time, be prosecuted if they do not take photographs of same-sex weddings. That claim is absolute rubbish. It is not in the Bill but has been in equality legislation for years though no photographer has been prosecuted. It is a complete red herring. I ask the people who raise such matters whether they would have the same reservations about mixed-religion weddings or mixed-race weddings. To engage in this disgusting spin is an appalling backward step.

Following Senator Regan's comments yesterday about the crime statistics, gardaí actually do a pretty good job. Coincidentally, I was in the city centre yesterday, in North Great George's Street, and a neighbour and city council worker alerted the police to the fact that a stolen computer was being carried through the street, at the same time as a person had a purse snatched. Gardaí were at the scene within a minute and they apprehended the people involved. It was fantastic. I am a voluntary member of the central policing committee and the Garda does a good job. That said, the statistics for certain crimes are rising. I call on the Leader to ask the Minister about this matter. Is it not astonishing that, in this context, there is a proposal to close a major inner city police station, that on Fitzgibbon Street, and move the personnel to Mountjoy Garda station?

Could we hold a debate on that matter in the context of a wider debate on Dublin? I heard a defence of the bus gate this morning-----