Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Cummins, McFadden, Ó Murchú, McCarthy and Callely raised various issues regarding ministerial portfolios. As we all know the Minister for Health and Children will be in the House again this week and next week when it is timely that all the issues on health should be put to her. In regard to the information being requested of me today, she has been very forthcoming and has been extremely supportive. Her appearance in this House two weeks ago was first class, as I said on the Order of Business last week, and in respect of all information required she was extremely forthcoming.

I agree with Senator Cummins in regard to cystic fibrosis patients who live up to 10 years longer in the North of Ireland. This is a serious issue and one that I am sure the Minister realises. However, we want to get her response when she comes to the House next week.

I join the many Senators I have mentioned already, including Senator Buttimer, in their comments on the two horrific murders that took place last night. The Minister for Justice and Law Reform has the greatest number of requests for legislation to deal with the increasing difficulties faced by the Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner. I convey our condolences to the family of the two bereaved and wish the young man well who has been seriously injured.

On the level of investment being made in the Garda Síochána, I noted that the two new Garda stations opened last week at Ballymote and Claremorris cost in excess of €11 million at a time of scarce resources. The commissioner is on record as having acknowledged and thanked the Minister for the investment being made. However, the challenges facing the commissioner, the Garda Síochána, the Government and we as a nation are mind boggling. We never thought we would see the day that one house in a nice quiet residential area would have a €9.5 million factory manufacturing illegal substances. Two guns were also found there. Some €60,000 was found in another area and millions of euros worth of drugs. The men and women who represent us in the Garda Síochána need all the support and help they can get and it behoves Members on all sides of the House to ensure they receive it. We have an excellent Minister for Justice and Law Reform who is doing everything he can to give the Garda Commissioner, at his request, the tools required to beat the criminals at their own game.

Senators O'Toole, Norris, Mooney, Coffey, Ellis, Quinn, Walsh, Leyden and Carty expressed serious concern about the EUROSTAT report on the major differences in prices. I understand the report is nine months out of date and that there has been an 8.6% reduction in prices here since the work on the report was carried out. I also understand there has been a 5% increase in the strength of sterling against the dollar. If that is the case, there is a serious difference in prices for consumers today from what they were then. I chaired the committee which dealt with the groceries order. As Senator O'Toole correctly pointed out, all parties - the Labour Party, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil - which were represented on that hard working committee by Members such as Senators Leyden, Coghlan and Callely supported retaining the order. There is no way it should be legal to sell below cost. It is that simple. It is unfair to say those of us who were reared and still live in rural villages are better off now than we were when there were small shops in villages. The big supermarkets are eliminating the corner shop. We had a choice of up to five outlets in which to buy products, but that is no longer the case. I am still a member of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and will bring this matter to the attention of its Chairman after the Order of Business. I will ask him to convene a special meeting of the committee to resume our deliberations on the EUROSTAT figures. I will refer back to the House with the findings of the committee after the summer recess. However, I understand there has been a substantial reduction of 8.6% in prices here since the figures were collected for the report.

Senators Alex White, MacSharry, Boyle, Ellis and Walsh called for a special debate on investment in the economy, investment banks and the new investment bank in England. It is a matter of huge importance. I was delighted when the Taoiseach confirmed last week that 5% of GDP would continue to be invested in capital projects. As Senator Ellis pointed out, this amounts to a figure of €6 billion, which sum is crucial for investment in major projects. In the dual carriageways from Dublin to Cork, Dublin to Galway and Dublin to Limerick we can see the massive infrastructural investment that has taken place, which investment was necessary and from which our constituents are benefitting hugely. I will have no difficulty in organising a debate on the issue. During Private Members' business tomorrow night we will debate a Fianna Fáil motion on job creation and everything relating to the schemes being brought forward such as the PRSI incentive scheme. If a Member has a good idea in that regard, I certainly wish to hear it. I will also allocate whatever time is required, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, for debates on the issue to support whatever can be done to create jobs.

Senator MacSharry referred to the enterprise boards and the reconfiguration being discussed and considered by the Minister. Like the Senator, I acknowledge the great performance of the boards which are out-performing many Government agencies. I hope this will be acknowledged by the Government. I will certainly invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss his proposals for the future of the boards.

Senator Norris raised a human rights issue relating to China. I will convey his strong views to the Minister for Foreign Affairs after the Order of Business.

Senators Regan and Leyden spoke about State spending. Senator Regan also referred to €17 million being spent on legal advice. As we all know, legal advice is the one area that appears to be unaffected by the recession. We must have an all-day debate on the high fees of barristers, solicitors and everybody connected with the legal profession. I ask Members of the House who are members of the legal profession, including Senators Regan and Alex White, and have expertise in the area to come to the assistance of the State at this crucial time in the country's history.