Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Eamonn Coghlan's call for a debate on cyber bullying. Senator Jim D'Arcy is about to table a related motion. It is a very serious issue. All our sympathies go to the family in Donegal in the most recent instance.

I condemn the murder on the M1 of the prison officer, David Black. This was alleged to have been the work of republican dissidents. That is an insult to the word "republican". Murderers killed that man. They were driving a Dublin-registered car. As a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Association, I am absolutely disgusted that something like that could happen on the M1 to a young man of 54, going about his daily business. That is an important issue.

An issue was raised in the Dáil on 5 July in regard to having reciprocal driving licences with Canada. A great number of our young people are obliged to go abroad through no choice of their own because of the lack of jobs. Many are going to Canada and we must be seen to ensure that we make this as easy as possible for them. The state of Saskatchewan has signed a reciprocal agreement with Ireland on driving licences. What is the position? If there is a big problem the Government should make a statement about it. If Saskatchewan can do this, giving a five-year, full class 5 driving licence, I wonder what the problem is. There is the issue of driving on different sides of the road but there are ways to do things. We should help the young people who have to go abroad. It is expensive anyway, and insurance is very expensive in Canada if one does not have a full driving licence - just as it is here. There should be a statement on this issue and I call on the Minister to make one.