Seanad debates

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

11:00 am

Photo of Donie CassidyDonie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators O'Toole, Walsh, Mooney, Wilson, Glynn and O'Sullivan expressed their shock, disappointment and horror at the events that took place outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday evening. I join all colleagues who commended the Garda Síochána and the staff of the Houses for their tremendous work. I hope this will not happen again. Members and staff should be allowed to access Leinster House freely; they should not be told they cannot leave the precincts for a few hours, as happened last night. As has been correctly said by many colleagues, this is something we do not want to see happen again and we should make all necessary rules and regulations to ensure it does not. This is the protection of democracy itself.

Senator Callely spoke about the sad circumstances surrounding the killing of Noel Keegan in County Longford. I will pass on the Senator's strong views to the Minister for Justice and Law Reform and try to arrange a briefing on this very sad incident.

Senators Callely, Walsh and Coghlan called for a debate on NAMA and sought an update on its progress. I will have no difficulty in arranging a debate on the issue.

Senator Harris mentioned the lack of respect for politics and, with Senators Walsh and Hanafin, called on all parties to provide the necessary support, in the national interest, to solve the problem of the country's finances. I heard the utterances of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, on "The Frontline" on Monday night and the Taoiseach's endorsement of these comments. This establishes the position of Fianna Fáil. I fully support the views expressed by the three Senators this morning.

Senator Keaveney mentioned the role of music in therapy. I fully support her comments on the issue and have always done so. It is something that should be taken far more seriously by Ministers, particularly in the field of education. The Senator also mentioned the crimes committed by children and called on the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to come to the House for a debate on this serious issue.

Senator Walsh spoke about the HSE and hospital consultant contracts and called for a debate with the Minister for Health and Children which I will have no difficulty in arranging.

Senator Coghlan asked me to point out strongly to the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his serious concerns about Killarney House and the beautiful national park in his home town of Killarney. I have no difficulty in supporting him in this regard.

Senator McFadden mentioned Loughloe House nursing home in Athlone and the terrible plight of patients in view of its proposed closure. I share the Senator's concerns about the difficulties being experienced by the five patients in the nursing home, as well as by the 24 who were there previously. I will see what I can do and will pass on her strong views to the Minister immediately after the Order of Business.

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