Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator John Whelan referred to Garda resources in Mountmellick. The process of reducing Garda numbers to 13,000 had not yet concluded. The Senator also welcomed the decision to make provision for 212 new patrol cars and these will soon be introduced. I was not aware of major security problems or a lack of Garda resources in Mountmellick. I suggest the Senator raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Senator Ó Domhnaill was critical of the property tax. It is hard to take such criticism from members of a party which advocated the introduction of such a tax not long ago.

Senator James Heffernan referred to recent problems with subcontractors who worked on Kilfinane national school in his locality.

I will revert to the House on Senator Quinn's Bill and the progress or lack thereof made in recent months.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, will come before the House on 29 January to address the points raised by Senators Diarmuid Wilson and Colm Burke.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh asked that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, come to the House to provide a progress report on wind energy. We will try to arrange a debate on the issue, to which Senator Kelly also referred. Senator Kelly also asked that the Garda inquiry into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy be dispensed with. We should await the outcome of the inquiry before proceeding on this matter.