Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

The people are demoralised and the debacle at the Passport Office on Molesworth Street is only one of the many bushfires raging around the country. We can see the very real effects of the warning signals given many months ago about the divide between public and private sector workers. It sad to see workers and citizens being pitted against each other in such a public manner just a few hundred yards from where we sit. Senator O'Toole and others were voices of reason but more of this is needed if we are to pull the people together. If we do not find a solution through communication, we will face anarchy. We must remember that citizens have been waiting for months to receive jobseeker's allowance, student grants and other benefits. They, too, are frustrated.

I wish to bring to the Leader's attention a serious matter that has arisen in the south east in the past week as a result of the Cabinet's decision to discontinue the 24-hour sea and air rescue service based at Waterford Airport.