Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business today is No. 1, Bovine Diseases (Levies) Regulations, 2002 – motion re referral to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food, to be taken without debate; No. 2, Digital Hub Development Agency Bill, 2002 – Report Stage, to conclude at 5 p.m.; No. 3, National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002 – Committee Stage, to be taken at 6 p.m. There will be a sos from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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We agree with the Order of Business as proposed by the Leader. I avail of the opportunity afforded to me under the Order of Business to refer briefly to the tragic loss yesterday of our colleague and friend, Jim Mitchell, a distinguished former Member of the other House, a former Cabinet Minister, a former Lord Mayor of Dublin, and an institution in Irish politics for over two and a half decades. The sense of loss is felt by many Members of this and the other House on all sides, but it is particularly felt by the people of Dublin who lost a champion, one of their own, who was able to cut through a lot of politics and get to the heart of issues and was able to articulate their concerns. The family of the late Jim Mitchell, Patsy and the five children, and particularly his brother, Gay, who is known to us all, have lost a husband, a father, a brother. On behalf of my colleagues in the Seanad I take this opportunity to convey our sympathies to the Mitchell family on this loss, which is not only a loss to them but a loss to politics and to the country. It is terrible that at the age of 56 he was taken from us.

I am pleased that you, a Chathaoirligh, the Leader and Members have afforded me the opportunity to state that in the Seanad. We will miss him greatly as we go forward.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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We would all like to be associated with the condolences to the Mitchell family and to the Fine Gael Party and to express our appreciation of the remarks uttered by Senator Brian Hayes.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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On behalf of the Labour Party I would like to be associated with the remarks of Senator Brian Hayes. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim Mitchell for the best part of 20 years or more. As well as being a politician I respected, he was a person I liked. On both grounds his demise at a young age is particularly regrettable. We in the Labour Party would like to convey our deepest sympathies to his family and the Fine Gael Party.

I agree with Senator O'Toole. Perhaps I am poorly informed, but in the 1980s, if there was even a whiff of a Northern Ireland connection with political activities with which I was involved, at least three or four large members of the Garda Síochána would observe the meeting to make sure nothing subversive happened. It is a mystery to me how the resources that were available for such activity in the 1980s have not been redirected to deal with an equally potent threat to life in society. I urge the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to discuss the issue.

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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It is not normal practice for the Seanad to mark the passing of someone who was not a former Member of the House, but the circumstances surrounding former Deputy Jim Mitchell's death are exceptional in view of his ability and record of service to the other House. I had the privilege of travelling with him this time last year. He was in great spirits, full of enthusiasm and ideas and looking forward to the challenges ahead. It is a matter of great regret that he has died in such tragic circumstances and at such a young age. We extend our sympathy to his wife and family, his Fine Gael colleagues and his brother, Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Affairs. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his flexibility on the matter.

I agree with Senator Ryan that we should debate the issue of Iraq at an early opportunity. It should be held when it is clear what the Iraqi response is to demands in regard to information on its weapons and when we know the outcome of the inspections. I was in the United States at the weekend when it seemed there was a mood for war within the Administration, irrespective of what findings were made. This is worrying. It is a matter to which this House should give attention. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the issue.

Michael McCarthy (Labour)
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Will the Leader arrange for the Minster for Education and Science to come before the House for a debate on the schools building programme? A worrying article in today's edition of The Irish Times lists a number of schools that are in a substandard condition, which is not acceptable. Development projects for the schools in question are all at the tendering stage and, given that there was a 4% reduction in expenditure in the area in the Estimates, I appeal to the Leader to allow the Minister to discuss the matter with Members.

Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)
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I echo calls from Senator Ryan and others for a debate on alcohol misuse, particularly in terms of how it affects accident and emergency and acute psychiatric units. It is outrageous and horrendous that accident and emergency units have almost become battlegrounds because people enter them late at night having been involved in rows as a result of their ingesting too much alcohol. Most people took a dim view of the recent RTE "Prime Time" programme which – though not through any fault on the part of the producers, who should be commended – made for grim viewing. We must also reflect on the types of products, such as alcopops, which are available to young people. I ask that an urgent debate be arranged with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the matter.

I requested a debate on the management of housing estates and the Leader correctly replied that this is a matter for local authorities. However, the legislation governing the regulation of housing estates is a matter for this House and the Dáil and, therefore, I ask for a debate on the issue.

Mary Henry (Independent)
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I support the calls by Senators Dardis and Ryan for a debate on Iraq, but from a different point of view. Today is world population day and I have in my possession the UNFPA's most recent figures on maternal and infant mortality. In Iraq, maternal mortality is now 370 women per 100,000 births, while in Iran, the figure is 130 per 100,000 births. In Iraq, infant mortality is 64 per 100,000 live births, while in Iran, it is 36 per 100,000. Iraq always had the better medical service of the two countries, so who will now state that sanctions have not hurt Iraq's civilian population?

I also support calls for a debate on alcohol consumption and young people. The Leader said she was fortunate enough to have not supported the calls for an extension to opening hours. Unfortunately, I did support those calls because I believed that our drinking habits might become more like those of people on the Continent. On the contrary, we seem to have become uncontrollable. I suggest that we could narrow the debate down to a consideration of reversing the extension to drinking hours.

Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)
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I support the calls by Senators Ryan and Glynn for a debate regarding the alcohol problem, particularly among young people. We must examine the impact of this matter on society and see what steps can be taken. It is important to have a prompt debate on the matter.

Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to urge the Minister for Finance, on the next occasion he attends an ECOFIN meeting, to congratulate his Swedish counterpart on his Government's courage in organising a referendum on the euro, which it is uncertain of winning. Completing the spread of the euro is of great importance to people in Ireland and to others on these islands. Perhaps if the Swedes are successful, others will take a leaf out of their book. Perhaps we could have a debate after Christmas on European economic and financial issues.

Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)
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Will the Leader ascertain from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources whether he proposes to introduce a hardship fund to provide financial assistance for fishermen who lost boats during the severe storms last weekend? In Seafield and Quilty six boats sank causing very severe financial hardship to those involved. May we have some indication as to whether the Minister will have any funds available to help alleviate the situation?

Eddie Bohan (Fianna Fail)
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I watched the recent television programme to which reference has been made and was greatly shocked by it. I venture to say 99% of publicans in Dublin and throughout the country also found it shocking. They are not responsible for what was shown on the programme, which showed events happening at 3 a.m. The individuals involved were staggering out of night clubs. It is now common practice for many teenage drinkers to start their evening's drinking before they leave home – they may be already drunk before they leave the house. It is much cheaper for them to buy their supply in an off-licence or supermarket and drink at each other's houses in turn from week to week.

I was shocked to learn a few weeks ago that a licence has been granted, for the first time ever, for an off-licence in O'Connell Street, Dublin, at a time when it was already difficult enough to control the situation on the streets when people were coming out of pubs. It makes matters far worse when they can buy alcohol in an off-licence and consume it on the streets. The behaviour shown on the television programme in question was not confined to Dublin – it also applies in other urban areas.

Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)
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I support the call for a debate on the abuse of alcohol which should not be confined to opening hours and closing times. It is a far bigger issue, and includes the question of advertising. The drinks industry has hijacked many of our sports events, including the club championships with which the Cathaoirleach will be familiar. There have been moves by successive Governments to tackle the tobacco advertising issue. A similar approach must be followed in relation to drinks advertising.

Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)
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I support Senator Ormonde's call for a debate on An Bord Pleanála. In two instances of which I am aware a local authority granted planning permission for developments, objections were made to An Bord Pleanála whose inspectors visited the sites and recommended that the local authority decision be upheld, yet the board refused permission. That was totally outrageous. There are questions to be answered in the House by the appropriate Minister. Faceless people are making decisions with regard to areas they have never visited.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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Will the Leader clarify whether it is intended to take only Committee Stage of the National Tourism Development Authority Bill this afternoon, not Report and Final Stages? We have tried over the years in this House to establish a policy of not rushing through Committee and Report Stages together. I gather the Leader did not say what was planned, but I hope that the standards of the House will apply and we will have time to reflect on points made on Committee Stage. The Bill was published very recently and we should have the opportunity to give it our full attention.

John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)
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I too support the call by Senator Ormonde for a debate on An Bord Pleanála and the planning issue. I raised this on the Order of Business two weeks ago. I emphasise again that the co-relationship between local authority planning decisions, inspectors from An Bord Pleanála and the ultimate decision of the board leaves much to be desired. It is all over the place and we have to get it right. It negates proper development when local authority planners and inspectors from an Bord Pleanála can uphold a planning decision and it can be overturned by the board on one objection. This has severely affected major developments in Cork and elsewhere. The debate should be held sooner rather than later.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to speak on the matter raised by Senator Brian Hayes, the leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad. He discussed it with me briefly before we started. Despite the fact that the late Mr. Jim Mitchell was not a Member of this House, his status and his singular record as a politician make it proper that the leaders of the parties of the Upper House of the Oireachtas should have a chance, albeit in an informal way, of paying our respects to him.

It was Jim Mitchell's bravery more than anything else that I always commended. He had to face up to a horrendous health problem and he did so while continuing to work. I admire how he dealt with it publicly and, I am sure, privately. In so doing he was an inspiring example to other people who face such grave news about their health.

He had an undoubted record in public life in all sorts of ways, but most of all he had the common touch. He was a Dubliner who interacted with the people of his city in various ways, at local elections, general elections, European elections and everyday activities. On behalf of Fianna Fáil I join the leaders of other parties who have expressed their sympathy.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his latitude in allowing this discussion. I also commend the Fine Gael decision, out of respect for the late Jim Mitchell, not to raise anything on the Order of Business. We appreciate that and understand it. Senator O'Toole also joined in paying respects to him.

The murder in Limerick of the security man has touched a raw nerve in everyone. It was compared to the murder of Veronica Guerin and the resources which were put in place to track down those killers. We will have a debate on that and related crime issues with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Senator Ryan mentioned the alcohol debate and the need for the Minister to come to the House to discuss it. He also mentioned a debate on Iraq. I too heard on the morning news the seeming contradiction of the inspector saying that all was well so far and the immediate response from President Bush that it was all a sham. Senator Ryan also wants the report on competitiveness and privatisation discussed. That would be a very worthy debate. We sent a message to the Tánaiste's office and I will renew it in an endeavour to debate that matter.

Senator McCarthy suggested inviting the Minister for Education and Science to discuss the schools building programme. I read the page with great attention, as did everyone who has been involved in supporting such projects. The Minister for Education and Science has been very open about it and has published the state of play. It would be good to have a debate with him.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I would also like to be associated with the richly deserved tributes paid to the late Jim Mitchell. I would also like to be associated with the vote of sympathy to his family.

Order of Business agreed to.