Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Deputy Leader's announcement that we are to debate fluoridation this afternoon. When Mr. Gay Mitchell, MEP, was here last week he referred to the Seanad as a valuable Chamber where debates can take place in a non-adversarial manner. There are most interesting arguments on both sides of the fluoridation debate and I welcome the scheduling of that discussion for this afternoon.

On this sad day, with the flag at half mast for Detective Garda Donohoe, to whom we paid tributes yesterday, I ask the Deputy Leader to examine No.51 on the Government's legislative programme, namely, the Garda Síochána (compensation for malicious injuries) Bill, which will provide a revised scheme for compensating gardaí maliciously injured in their work. Publication of that Bill is expected in late 2013 and while I appreciate that we should not make law in haste, perhaps the Deputy Leader would ascertain from the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, whether that legislation could be brought forward without losing anything and retaining its effectiveness and intent. It would be the will of all Members in both Houses that we address this matter sooner rather than later in 2013.