Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Senator Mooney on his re-election to the House. I am sure he will do a wonderful job as usual.

I wish to express my sincere sympathy, solidarity and support for the people of Haiti. I compliment the response of the Irish aid agencies in particular and of the Government. It is imperative that we give every assistance possible to the people in that disaster. I am sure we will get an opportunity to discuss the matter at a later stage.

I compliment Senators Norris and O'Toole and the other Independent Members for putting motion No. 22 on the agenda. I hope it will be addressed as a matter of urgency. Head shops are causing havoc and severe health problems for many. There is no control, licensing or regulation of the products being sold. Will the Minister for Health and Children attend the House immediately to address this problem? Last year, Senators Wilson and McFadden raised the matter of BZP, which thankfully was banned a number of days later. All of the products being sold in the shops in question must be controlled and licensed, since they are doing untold harm to many of the people using them. I ask that the motion be dealt with as a matter of urgency and that the Minister attend the House to respond to people's concerns.

I join with Senator Keaveney in expressing disgust at the car bombing of a gentleman in the PSNI. He is fluent in Irish and played Gaelic games. We should hang our heads in shame that he was treated like this by so-called republicans. Those thugs should be brought to justice urgently irrespective of whether they are receiving succour on this or the other side of the Border.