Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday we engaged in a good and long debate on the legislation relating to the abolition of the Seanad. That debate was very useful and a great deal emerged from it.

I have found my years in the Seanad very educational and there was a good example this morning. I was listening to Senator Crown who explained to us the difference between something that is treatable and something that is terminal, words I had not fully understood the difference between. This relates to the scandal that cancer patients will no longer receive treatment on that basis. The strength of feeling with which he spoke on the issue is a reminder of the talent that exists in the House. The ability to have that talent expressed in so many different ways is very useful.

I wish to raise a rather sad point, that is, the death by drowning of two people yesterday. I have read that 150 people per year die in Ireland from drowning. Is there anything we can do about it? I have raised the issue of the transition year that students take and I am a great admirer of it. I believe we could add to their activities in that year things they would not otherwise do. I have referred to training in defibrillators recently. How about swimming lessons? Should they be considered as a possibility? The number of young men who die from injuries related to drowning is horrific. The proposal would not solve all the problems because a large number of children aged between one and four years die from drowning as well. Clearly that problem would not be solved by teaching them how to swim in transition year. However, there is a possibility that we could add to the transition year. I call on the Leader to add that to the list because many transition year students have the time and the opportunity. It could serve a double purpose of training and educating them and helping to save lives in the years ahead as well.