Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Jillian van Turnhout's call for a debate on MMS and its use in the treatment of autism. I, too, have been contacted on this issue and it is shocking to think what could be going on. I, too, call on the Minister to come to the House for a debate on this serious issue.

I take the opportunity to congratulate the victorious Special Olympics athletes who arrived home from Belgium on Sunday. I had the pleasure of being in Dublin Airport on Sunday morning to welcome them home and applaud their massive achievements at the European games and also to applaud the family members and supporters who turned out to welcome them home. The number of medals won is impressive and includes 20 gold medals, 21 silver medals and 24 bronze medals, as well as numerous placement ribbons. I pay tribute to the athletes, their family members and members of Special Olympics on their success.

I also take the opportunity to congratulate my local soccer team, Dundalk FC, which was victorious in winning the EA Sports Cup on Saturday last. The match was a fantastic spectacle and hugely important to the League of Ireland and a huge boost to the town. However, of concern was the hooliganism which was very evident on the part of members of the opposition in attendance both inside the ground in terms of the dreadful personal jeers directed at the manager and outside the grounds in terms of the savage attack on a person. We have all witnessed the fining of League of Ireland clubs lately, including Dundalk FC which was fined for the use of flares and the flying of flags when asked not to do so. Clubs must take responsibility for their fans. The hooliganism in Dundalk on Saturday was atrocious and brought the game of soccer to a new low. I ask the Leader to arrange an urgent debate on hooliganism in sport. It is important in terms of our attempts to promote League of Ireland soccer that we have that debate.