Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I share Senator McFadden's views on the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, whom I wish a very speedy recovery. He is a courageous man and has given great leadership. He has proved to be a tremendous Minister for Finance. He has shown great courage in his difficulties and has greatly encouraged those with similar difficulties. We wish him every success. We very badly need him to continue to work for us.

I join Senators in commending Senator Paschal Mooney on his return to the House. He is an extremely able politician. He put up a great performance in the elections to the European Parliament on 5 June. He received an enormous number of votes in the North West constituency. It was a great achievement in the circumstances. The Senator guaranteed a seat for Fianna Fáil in the European Parliament. I know what it is like being out of the House for a number of years and I was out four times longer than Senator Mooney. It is great that he is back and I am delighted he is here. This Chamber is back to where it was in the past. I wish the Senator well.

Senators Norris and O'Toole tabled a motion on so-called head shops, which matter was raised on the Joe Duffy show, "Liveline". There is an Adjournment matter tabled on this subject also but I do not know whether it has been accepted. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Curran, to the House to discuss head shops? Senator Wilson raised the issue in November 2008 when he fought a very serious campaign on the growth of so-called head shops. In an article in the Irish Mail on Sunday on 17 January it was stated the new cocaine in the head shops is 100% legal. Head shops are using a loophole in the law to flood our cities with drugs that have tipped youngsters into a life of psychiatric treatment. The article reveals the shocking truth behind what occurs. The article was by Dr. Chris Luke of University College Hospital, Cork, who said young people will die as a result of the availability of these drugs.

It has come to our attention that there is a proposal to open a head shop in Roscommon town. This is causing tremendous concern. There was a protest on Castle Street, Roscommon, on this issue. It is not a question of any one shop because they are technically legal. They are paying their rates.