Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I express my heartfelt sympathy to the families bereaved by a tragic accident in Inishowen during the late hours of Sunday night. From speaking with people on the peninsula, I know they are preparing for the funerals. The next three days will be a difficult time during which the funerals, mostly of young people, will go ahead. Incidents like this focus us on road safety. It is important we discuss the matter, but acting on it is more important. I ask that we all redouble our efforts.

In late March, I tabled a motion on the Adjournment about the annual seat belt review conducted by the Road Safety Authority, RSA, and asked that it be extended to school buses. However, my motion was ruled out of order because the Minister for Transport did not have jurisdiction over the matter. I thank God that we have not had an incident involving a school bus recently, but were the excuse of the survey not being extended provided to the press or the bereaved, it would not be acceptable. Our sympathy and solidarity are with the families, but we have a duty to refocus on the issue.

Will the Leader indicate when the legislation on a directly elected mayor for Dublin is expected to be thrashed out in the House? Is it the intention to go to the polls and fill a position that does not exist in law while continuing to deny the people of Donegal South-West their constitutional entitlement to have the vacancy created by Pat "The Cope" Gallagher's election to the European Parliament filled? Members are aware that I was granted leave yesterday-----