John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I join colleagues on this side of the House who have raised concerns about some of the legislation to be dealt with in the House this week. I have particular views on the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill and the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill which I have voiced before.

In the past weeks I have asked the Leader for a debate on the care of the elderly, particularly for supported care homes and Alzheimer's care. Every day of the week I am told by members of the public that it is appalling the Oireachtas is devoting a large amount of time to debating stag hunting when people are worried about where their elderly parents, aunts or uncles will see out the rest of their lives. There are also other issues of concern to people which have been raised by other Senators.

The Leader is on the record as saying we would have a debate on the care of the elderly before the summer recess yet we will sit for four days this week and it is not on the schedule. It is particularly disappointing listening to Senator Boyle's comments on what the Opposition should have in its Private Members' time. We had statements on employment last week and most of the Government speakers praised the Government's belated action with regard to a holiday on PRSI. There will be a two hour debate tomorrow night on the very same thing they were speaking about last week, that is, the kind of self-congratulatory motion the Government side always introduces on Private Members' business. If the Leader cannot hold a debate on care of the elderly during regular time, perhaps he could put it down during Government Private Members' time.