Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald and Hannigan called for a debate on public transport, particularly Dublin Bus and the services that are being mooted to be withdrawn. This is a timely debate. Also the extension of DART services has been suggested and I have no difficulty having a debate about this after the Christmas recess.

Senator Callely raised the issue of prostate cancer. I certainly support his call, particularly looking at the American statistics that demonstrate one in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime but only one in 34 will die from it. These are alarming statistics and we must highlight them and this is an ideal opportunity for this House to play a leading role. I will certainly have a debate on prostate cancer on the Order Paper within the first two weeks after the Christmas recess. He also called for a debate on obesity and I have no difficulty including obesity when the Minister for Health and Children next visits the House.

Senators Fitzgerald, Coghlan, Buttimer, Harris, Phelan and Cummins asked about reform to the system of appointments to boards. It is true that 148 appointments were made by Fine Gael and Labour in 1997 and it really started with earlier interparty Governments involving Labour and Fine Gael. We will leave all that aside.