John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

In the light of what happened in Hungary this week, will the Leader ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to attend the House for a debate on tailing pond storage? Toxic waste from a tailing pond has now entered a tributary of the River Danube. Looking at the amount and colour of the toxic sludge on television reports, the environmental damage and the number of deaths caused, we need to check the tailing ponds attached to mining developments in this country. A similar accident would have a devastating effect on our ecology. I do not know how the authorities in Hungary will be able to stop the sludge reaching the Danube, one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, and deal with the long-term effects on the area's environment.

I support the calls made earlier in the week for a debate on the recent bombing in Derry. Having achieved peace in the North that we all hope will be a lasting one, we must be clear in asking anyone with information on the bombing to come forward in order that the criminals involved can be brought to justice. There is no justification, no possible rational argument, nothing that underpins the bombing, except violence for the sake of violence. I call for a debate on the ongoing threat posed by the Real IRA.