John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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The Order of Business is No. 1, a motion which extends the time for the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights to consider the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Bombing of Kay's Tavern, Dundalk, to allow it report back to Seanad Éireann by 1 December 2006 rather than 17 November 2006, which was previously agreed on 5 July, to be taken without debate; No. 2, Patents (Amendment) Bill 1999 — Committee Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude not later than 1.00 p.m.; and No. 3, Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2006 — Order for Committee and Committee Stage, to be taken from 2 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. There will be a sos from 1.00 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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Colleagues may have seen reports in today's newspapers of the serious sexual assault on a woman in Dublin in recent days. The young victim was on her way home in the early hours of the morning when she was taken to one side by three young men and sexually assaulted in an apartment block close to O'Connell Street. What is particularly outrageous about this latest attack is the fact that the young woman called out for help on a thoroughfare on which many hundreds of people were walking by but simply looked the other way and walked on.

This issue must be raised in a public forum such as this. Regardless of how many closed circuit television systems are installed and how many gardaí or members of the Garda reserve force are patrolling the streets, there is ultimately a responsibility on citizens to look out for and help each other. It is an appalling indictment of modern Ireland that a young woman could cry out for help and people would simply look the other way.

We in this House have a responsibility to highlight this issue in view of the depravity of the assaults being perpetrated on women and men. We must ask citizens to assist the Garda and help vulnerable people in order that we may stem the tide of criminality engulfing cities and towns throughout the State. In debating this issue, the House should send a clear signal to society that this issue must be addressed once and for all.

The Taoiseach has stated his clear intention to hold a referendum to ensure the rights of children are embraced in our Constitution. This is something I endorse and welcome. I note, however, that only two weeks ago, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, said he did not believe there was any necessity for a constitutional change in this area. If the Government wishes to proceed on this basis between now and the general election, I ask all parties in this House which endorse the views of the Seanad Sub-Committee on Seanad Reform, in which I, the Leader and other colleagues are involved, to see if we could use a referendum to push through reforms of the Seanad.

We all say we are committed to Seanad reform and on the first day back after the election of the new Seanad, we tasked a sub-committee to address the matter. The sub-committee has produced its report and there are constitutional implications in terms of a new Seanad. Let us hold that referendum at the same time as the other one if it is to be held between now and the general election. All the leaders of the groups in the House should meet the Taoiseach to put that suggestion to him.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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Yesterday on the Order of Business I raised the issue of the committee dealing with the Judge Curtin affair and the House was of the view it should not be discussed here. As I said, I have no interest in, or views on, the issue. I am interested in the process this House set up. The response I got was that it was not to be discussed.

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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I said I could not discuss it.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I wish to be absolutely clear. I have nothing but the highest respect for the members of that committee and nothing I have said on this issue takes from them. I am supportive of them in everything they do and I know of the work they are doing. I have no problem with the way they discharge their business nor do I have a scintilla of criticism about the way they do their work. They have been diligent, have given two summers to it and no one could ask for more from them.

The issue is that we set up this committee and we should get reports on what is happening. Having raised the matter yesterday, I woke up this morning to hear a whole news report on it on the 7 o'clock news. Why can we not be told?

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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As I understood it, the committee was set up to investigate this matter and to report back to the House. There was no mention of interim reports.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I agree with the Cathaoirleach. I am not trying to undermine that process; I am completely supportive of it. My only point is that we were told the matter would be dealt with very quickly and dates were suggested but for reasons beyond the scope of the committee, it did not reach those dates. Where do we go from here? We will be asked questions at the next general election. There is something wrong if I cannot get the answers in the House but can get them in the public press.

Since I was elected to national politics 20 years ago I have regularly come across members of political parties and elected representatives who firmly believe the words "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" are somewhere in the Constitution. For the first time we now have an opportunity to include a commitment to the rights of the child in the Constitution. I suggest on this the 90th anniversary of the publication of the Proclamation that we show a certain respect to the fourth and fifth paragraphs of that document by considering using the words "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" in any commitment. They are vital, powerful paragraphs of protection from which successive Governments have always shied away until now for reasons that we could understand, that is, resources. I fully agree with the point made by Senator Brian Hayes and appeal that whatever way we go about this, we get all the parties involved and try to get some agreement because it is not a political issue.

The issue raised by Senator Brian Hayes on the rights and duties of citizens in a democracy is well worth discussing in the House. A couple of weeks ago in a very tragic case, a Catholic priest in Monaghan tried to tell us society was at fault for people not exercising free will. Citizens have free will and must take decisions. They also have responsibilities as part of a democracy. If we have to start with the parable of the Good Samaritan and the requirement of a citizen to be there for other citizens, then that is what we should do. Senator Brian Hayes made a very important point.

Brendan Ryan (Labour)
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My sympathies are with Senator O'Toole. I can never understand why matters cannot be reported or discussed in the Oireachtas which can be discussed elsewhere. It is for us to organise our business but I believe the Senator has a genuine point.

Yesterday's report by the Central Bank of Ireland on lending had many items in it which would concern one. However, the most disturbing item I heard was the projection that within another five years, only 20% of households will be able to afford to buy their own houses. If one wants a recipe for incredible social tension, that is it. The idea that people will not be able to have a secure home in which to live and have a family will create the type of tensions which I thought we would be able to avoid in a successful economy. While I know we discuss it regularly, I would like us to discuss yet again the issue of housing, affordability of housing, the failure of the Government's policy in the area of social and affordable housing and the failure of a number of projects to deliver the amount of housing needed.

Another issue I wish to raise, which perhaps we could discuss in the context of corporate power, is the extraordinary attempt by a private hospital funded by the State, but nevertheless officially private, to intimidate a former patient into silence in respect of her criticisms. It is very easy for a corporate body where individuals will not be personally liable for costs to take a defamation case against an individual who will be. We should change the law to ensure that if corporate bodies decide they want to take defamation cases, the individuals who run that corporate body should be held personally liable for the consequences of that action. That would soften the coughs of many people who seem to be quite happy to take an individual, who has suffered from cancer, to court to try to intimidate her. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the situation, it is a disproportionate and over-the-top response which should be condemned as out of keeping with any proper behaviour.

I again raise an issue I have raised every month. There has been yet another massacre of civilians in Gaza. They are becoming too frequent. Super-duper, high-powered technology missed its target and 18 people, including children, were killed. The world blinks, makes the ritual condemnation and then sells more arms to the country which perpetuates these atrocities. It is time the world said "Stop" and recognised that the sense of moral ambiguity which states that we will not speak to Hamas but will arm the other side is a profound moral affront. Anybody who saw the Channel 4 programme during the week on jihad will know that most young Muslims do not support suicide bombers or any such brutalities but they all support armed resistance to what they see as the extraordinarily one-sided view in the western world about the struggles of the Palestinian people.

As another relic of the struggles of the 1980s, I welcome the re-election of Daniel Ortega as president of Nicaragua. The destruction of democracy by international terrorism in Nicaragua in 1989 was among the worst things the world has ever done. It was international terrorism funded by the United States. It is delightful to see Daniel Ortega finally vindicated and back where he should have remained had it not been for the imposition of a civil war by a malevolent United States.

Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)
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Those of us who set out our stalls from day one and opposed the invasion of Iraq believed we were reflecting the decency and fair-mindedness of the American people. This has been borne out by the results of the mid-term elections in the United States in recent days. What happened in those terrible years was immoral and unjustified. The question now is, where do we go from here? We must first recognise that the right leadership was not provided to the American people. There was flawed leadership very often based on misrepresentation and even on lies.

It is important at this stage to focus on the future. What does the future hold? We must take this as an opportunity. It is not a matter of saying "I told you so". There is an opportunity now for the diplomats to take over from the hawks.

Members must also accept — as must America — the independence and sovereignty of each individual nation. We cannot impose our concept of democracy on such countries. If we do not take these steps, we will encounter the same problems again. Although America has been a beneficial force in the past, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that it cannot act as the policeman for the entire world. It is vital that vested interests do not drive foreign policy in respect of the Palestinians because Members cannot stand by idly and watch the terrible persecution that can be seen day in and day out.

It is important to note that we have not honoured the memory of those people who died in the terrible atrocity on 11 September 2001. We have done quite the opposite and events have distracted from the grief and suffering. There is now an opportunity to embrace reality and failure to do so will result in it coming back to haunt us. This haunting process has started in the past few days.

Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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Every day, one reads in the national newspapers or sees on television that health specialists encourage active lives and lifestyles for young people. However, in the past three years, a crisis has developed within schools, and in particular within national schools, in which the authorities who try to run them are obliged to fundraise for all items, including cleaning, water charges, hygiene, insurance and so on. At present, most national schools curtail and restrict active participation during playtime due to the effect of overly-costly insurance and the many claims that have been taken regarding serious injuries in playgrounds.

Clearly, the Minister for Education and Science should improve insurance cover for schools. It is unbelievable that principals should be obliged to spend most of their time organising fundraisers to provide for the day to day running of schools. At present, capitation grants come to €145. How can any school maintain itself to a reasonable standard with such a grant level? I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science before the House to inquire whether she has a plan for the proper financing of primary and post-primary schools.

I read in today's newspaper that the Department of Finance is obliged to provide an additional €50 million to finance the unexpected retirement of teachers. For the past three years, almost 1,200 teachers have unexpectedly retired each year in addition to those predicted. There is a reason for this and no one is paying attention to the approaching crisis in education.

Yesterday, the Minister announced 70 projects nationwide regarding the building of primary and post-primary schools. The list included a school at Donabate, County Dublin, which was one of the few schools which were to have been built under the public private partnership, PPP, scheme. However, this plan has been abandoned and the traditional method of building will be employed. Obviously, lessons have been learned from the high costs associated with the earlier PPP schemes in Cork and Sligo——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Does the Senator seek a debate on such matters?

Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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Members have tried to have a debate with the Minister in attendance on this matter on numerous occasions. However, she has not appeared before the House to debate education for a long time. The Leader should invite the Minister before the House in order that Members can discuss the crisis that now emanates from many fronts in education.

Maurice Hayes (Independent)
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I should have thought it was fairly clear why Members cannot be as free as the media to discuss the case the Cathaoirleach does not wish them to discuss. Theoretically, Members might end up being judge and jury in the case in question and they cannot prejudice that position.

I support Senator Ryan's call for a debate on housing. Members have called for such a debate for some time, particularly with regard to social housing and in respect of people such as gardaí, teachers, nurses and street sweepers who are needed to run a city but who can no longer afford to live in this city. This will become a major problem.

Moreover, in respect of a point raised by Senator Ryan, I also deplore the use of corporate muscle to frighten off people and to smother criticism. Moreover, if Members follow the lines proposed in the Privacy Bill, they will make it even easier for rich people and corporate people to prevent others from complaining about them or investigating them.

David Norris (Independent)
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I also support Senator Brian Hayes's comments regarding the Mater Hospital's attack on the former cancer patient. This issue raises a serious problem. A good article by Mary Rafferty in today's edition of The Irish Times points out that previously, the same hospital had problems when its ethical committee, from a narrow sectarian point of view, prevented people from getting cancer treatment drugs. She investigated the members of the board, one of whom is a Sister of Mercy and is the person who was responsible for negotiating the disgraceful deal on compensation.

The Mater Hospital will be the location of the new children's hospital. I raised this issue some time ago and Members must reconsider this matter. It is outrageous that individuals should be subjected to such pressure from a legally bullying and factually inaccurate letter from a firm of Dublin solicitors.

I was amused to hear Senator Brian Hayes again raise the subject of Seanad reform. It would be great if he was serious in this respect.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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I am.

David Norris (Independent)
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I would love to see all Members support real Seanad reform, which would include their own rotten constituencies. It would be a great day for Ireland if——

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should read the report.

Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)
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Is the Senator suggesting Members are not serious?

David Norris (Independent)
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——Members were like turkeys and voted for Christmas. I would stand against any Member in any constituency they wished.

Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
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People in glasshouses should not throw stones.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should read the report.

David Norris (Independent)
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Members should be realistic about this and should not start detracting from the university Members, who are the only democratic element in the entire House.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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The Senator should read the report.

David Norris (Independent)
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At least I have a few voters. You lot have less than 1,000. Make it 20,000 or 100,000 and——

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator should not come down to Longford-Westmeath.

David Norris (Independent)
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—— Members would learn a little about democracy.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Order, please.

Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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It would be the first time the Senator faced competition in his own constituency.

David Norris (Independent)
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There is plenty of competition. The Senator can stand. I dare Senator Ulick Burke to stand in the Trinity constituency.

Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)
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I already have a constituency.

David Norris (Independent)
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While he could easily stand, I would wipe the floor with him.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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He is already standing elsewhere.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Order, please. Has the Senator another point on the Order of Business?

David Norris (Independent)
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On the question of children's rights, all Members are in favour. Senator O'Toole rightly referred to the fact that while many people seem to think the noble provisions within the 1916 Proclamation are included within the Constitution, this is not the case. However, it refers to the rights of the individual. Why not consider holding a referendum that would guarantee and underwrite people's inalienable rights as individual citizens, rather than the rights of sections, groups, families, children or whatever?

I agree with Senator Ó Murchú's powerful and passionate indictment of what has been happening in the Middle East. It is morally revolting and shaming to see attacks that routinely kill women and children. Is Ireland serious about this? The Minister should call in the Israeli ambassador to indicate Ireland's revulsion in this regard. If we were really serious, we should reconsider the external association agreement with Israel, attached to which are human rights protocols. I have been making this point for the past three years. Failure to ever act on such protocols diminishes the standing of human rights.

As for the question raised concerning the attack on O'Connell Street, it is appalling that a young woman should be dragged down a street, pushed into an apartment block and then allegedly assaulted. One of the problems is that people are afraid to intervene. I have intervened on numerous occasions and I had to receive three stitches in my lip after one intervention. I was attacked two years ago and received——

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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They obviously failed to sew up the Senator.

David Norris (Independent)
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I was also attacked on another occasion. It is not funny. I am amazed Members find it entertaining that people get attacked. If they do find it entertaining, they are part of the problem. If they do not understand how serious it is to trivialise these situations, they are on the side of the attackers. At least, I did get stuck in.

John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)
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Oh, come on.

David Norris (Independent)
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The point I was making was that many young people in this city take drugs like crack cocaine. One of my assailants was taking crack cocaine. I was walking down the boardwalk along the River Liffey last week when I saw three young lads smoking something in a glass pipe, which was obviously crack cocaine. People are afraid because those who take these drugs become out of control.

Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)
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I would welcome a debate in this House on the responsibilities of the citizen with obvious reference to the stomach-churning revelations made by Senator Brian Hayes. I compliment him on bringing these to light. His revelations bring into clear focus the very ugly face of the NIMBY syndrome. I recall reading an article about an incident on the streets of New York some years ago which was similar to the incident reported by Senator Brian Hayes. I said at the time that it was outrageous but such incidents now take place among us. I would welcome a debate on the obligations of the citizen and what he or she should do because this incident clearly shows the NIMBY syndrome may be prevalent today but such incidents could take place in our own backyard tomorrow.

Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)
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I also condemn what happened to that young woman in O'Connell Street. It is appalling enough that any young male or group of males would even contemplate committing such a dreadful act on the main street in our capital city or anywhere else but the fact that it took place in full view of many people who, for whatever reason, did not intervene is even more appalling. Perhaps Senator Norris is right when he stated many people were afraid to intervene. It is a reflection on our society that such an act could happen and that people could stand by and watch it happen. It is time we had a debate around this area and people's responsibilities.

I also ask for another debate in respect of issues raised by a report on demographics and population change in Ireland by NCB Stockbrokers, which I understand was published towards the end of last week. The report produced some very interesting statistics, none of which surprised me. One statistic that struck me was the finding that by 2010, Ireland will have the highest percentage of young people under 15 and the lowest number of people under 65 in Europe.

This goes against all the arguments from the Government about the future and the pensions time bomb. This argument has been thrown out the door because of the way our population is growing. Our pensions will be very secure because of the young population. We will have enough workers to look after the pensions of the future. Our priorities are skewed in the wrong direction. We should be more concerned about how we will cope with all the young people, babies and young children in our country and how we will provide them with schools and related facilities instead of putting by billions of euro for pensions for the future when we know we will have sufficient workers to provide for them. It would be worthwhile discussing the NCB report here. Alternatively, representatives from the Government could come before the House, explain from where its data are coming and why its priorities are skewed towards the older people of the future when we know there is a time bomb in respect of how we are going to look after young people.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I support the call for a debate on housing, particularly affordable housing. I also examined the report by the Central Bank which, it is fair to say, is predicated on house prices continuing to increase in the 12% to 14% per annum range. However, it is not clear this will happen. If interest rates increase by a few more quarter percentage points, this will have a dampening effect to some extent. However, it is an area where we need to ensure people, particularly young people, as Senator Maurice Hayes noted, are able to afford to buy their own houses. This is very much part of our culture and tradition in this country. While income levels in general and increasing income will drive up house prices, there is the fear that increasing house prices are driving up incomes to possibly uncompetitive levels. It is a very serious issue.

I ask the Leader to arrange for a further debate on pensions at some stage. I am aware Senator Terry has carried out a considerable amount of work in this area and has strong views on it. However, I cannot share her view that we will not experience difficulties and challenges in respect of pensions simply because of the findings of the report by NCB Stockbrokers. We heard reports last week that approximately 50% of babies born today, particular females, will live to the age of 100, given the improvements in medical care. This area will, undoubtedly, present a very strong challenge. I am a strong supporter of the very courageous move by the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, in this area when he put a number of billions of euro away to plan for this. We need to do this. Senator Terry has a different point of view, which is worthy of debate.

Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)
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I support the call for a debate on the issues raised by the incident referred to by Senator Brian Hayes. Such incidents are not confined to the capital but, unfortunately, take place in rural Ireland. We can never underestimate the profound impact such an incident has on the victim and his or her family. The issue deserves both debate and serious action.

During the week, Food and Drink Ireland issued a report on the food and drink sector in Ireland. This sector is extremely important to the economy and employment as it generates in excess of €18 billion and employs 250,000 people directly or indirectly, including the farming community. The Departments of Agriculture and Food, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Health and Children are all concerned with promoting the industry. It would be very worthwhile debating an allegation in the report that the three Departments are pursuing different agendas. The report also states the food industry in this country is suffering due to costly overregulation, such as the farm to fork policy pursued by the EU, and an unbalanced policy by the World Trade Organisation which favours large corporate producers in Third World countries like Brazil, China and India. This is a serious issue for our country and is worth debating.

Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
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I support the call for a debate on housing, particularly Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which concerns social and affordable housing. I understand that in many instances, developers have got around the need for social and affordable housing by virtue of broad sweep outline planning permission and I want to find out if this is true. I also wish to debate the unevenness of practice throughout the country. Some local authorities will accept cash in lieu of social and affordable housing, while others will accept other sites. There is also the question of whether some local authorities insist it must be in the particular development itself. I would like a debate on the matter to enable us establish the definitive rules or if such exist.

I strongly support what Senator Terry said about pensions. I hope the Minister for Finance in the forthcoming budget will provide greater flexibility in regard to encouraging the provision of pensions, of which there is such a shortfall. In particular, he should allow more flexibility in terms of all the cash that is supposed to, and no doubt will, flow from SSIAs, as he has been restrictive in regard to the rules in place pertaining to them. He could allow much more flexibility in that respect and hopefully he will do so in his Budget Statement.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, raised a matter I read about in a newspaper this morning. I was shocked by what I read. It was the worst case of sexual depravity I ever read about suffered by a young woman when walking down a street in Dublin. As the Senator said, passers by turned the other way, although there could be many reasons they did so. Senator Norris told us explicitly what happened to him when he went to help a person, but it is easy for us to stand back from this attack and say it was a dreadful event and comment on how it was handled. On another level, it awakens the debate on active citizenship. However, surely in a purely humble, biblical way, one does not turn one's face away when a person is in trouble, rather one goes to the person's aid.

Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of a referendum on the rights of children. He rightly asked in that context if a referendum could be held on matters related to reforms of the Seanad, as more than one referendum will be required. I agree with the Senator and he said we should meet the Taoiseach on this matter. I propose that the five leaders of the parties would go to see the Taoiseach and put this proposal to him. I will arrange that and report back to the Senator.

Senator O'Toole raised the Judge Curtin case. The deputy leader of this House said he could not report on it because he is a member of the relevant committee and it would be entirely wrong for him to so.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I accept that.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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None of us can report on it because it was laid before this House that there would be one report on it and that it would be then debated. We will not give interim reports on it.

Joe O'Toole (Independent)
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I am not seeking an interim report on it.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Neither will we give comfort to anyone. The matter must be proceeded with.

Senator O'Toole spoke about a proposed referendum on the rights of children and the powerful paragraph in that respect which is in the 1916 Proclamation but which everyone believes is in the Constitution. He also spoke about the rights of citizens in society.

Senator Ryan raised the matter of the report of the Central Bank of Ireland on housing and its projections, which in some respects are terrifying. The Senator also raised the matter of a private hospital which is up in arms over a book written by Janette, whose second name does not come to mind, in which she outlines her treatment in a particular hospital. I saw her being interviewed on television and thought she was plucky, factual and down to earth. There is something of the mighty taking on the weak in this episode. I agree with the Senator that the hospital's reaction in this case was an over-the-top response.

Senator Ryan also raised the situation in Gaza, the arms dealing and the case of the Palestinians. He welcomed Daniel Ortega's return to power in Nicaragua. I believe everybody was thinking back to other times and welcomed his return. He has given constant reassurances since he was re-elected — although "re-elected" is the wrong word as he was gone for a number of years — that he will do things not in a radical but in a common-sense way. It is interesting because all around us the great and the good of the stars and stripes are falling.

Senator Ó Murchú blamed the flawed leadership in America for the situation we are in and I agree with him that we must now focus on the future. As Ambassador Bruton said here yesterday, we are where we are, regardless of looking back and reflecting on those of us who spoke out so strongly at the time. The Senator said that the diplomats should take over from the hawks and that the vested interests should no longer drive foreign policy. That is what drove foreign policy in Iraq, namely vested oil interests while another group of vested interests were involved in the reconstruction process.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the matter of a crisis in schools. He called for a debate on many school matters. I will endeavour to arrange for such a debate in the House with the Minister concerned.

Senator Maurice Hayes called for a debate on housing. I remind him that on 12 October, which was only three weeks ago, we had quite a good debate on housing here. However, the matter has moved on because of the recent report of the Central Bank and the facts that have emerged. We could consider that.

Senator Maurice Hayes also agreed with Senator Ryan on the way in which the hospital concerned handled the matter of the book written about it. Senator Norris supported Senator Maurice Hayes's comments in that respect. Senator Norris raised the matter of children's rights and he wants Seanad reform.

I remind Senator Norris that Senator Ulick Burke is already standing for Galway East so he cannot possibly take up the Senator's kind offer.

David Norris (Independent)
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He might yet, one never knows. Is the Leader saying he will win?

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I am saying he is already standing as a candidate for the Dáil.

David Norris (Independent)
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They all stand for the Dáil and when they fail to get elected they get into the Seanad.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Order, please.

David Norris (Independent)
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This is the intensive care department.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Order, please, Senator Norris.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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We will see how Galway East turns out.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to reply to the Order of Business.

David Norris (Independent)
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The Leader will be in the next Dáil anyway——

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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We cannot have a debate on the next general election.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Will Senator Norris come down and do some canvassing for me?

David Norris (Independent)
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I will——

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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Very good.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to reply to the Order of Business.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
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The Leader's campaign was going very well up to this point.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Leader to proceed——

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Senator heard what the other Senator said.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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—— not on the next election but on the Order of Business.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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The Cathaoirleach is saying it is not very appropriate.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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We should all be out there.

Senator Norris spoke about what happened to him when he went to somebody's aid. We were not laughing at that but at the way he said it.

David Norris (Independent)
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It is the way I tell them.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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It has not affected the Senator's lip in generic terms, what he can say or how he says it. We were not laughing at the idea of a person going to the aid of another person and being attacked.

Senator Glynn raised the matter of the ugly face of the NIMBY syndrome which is prevalent here and he sought a debate on the responsibilities of citizens. Senator Terry raised the matter of pensions and I accept her point. We will have the highest percentage of young people under a certain age in a few years' time and many of them will be able to work to provide for us in later life. This matter is tied up with the issue of pensions. Perhaps a general debate on the issue would be useful. The Senator said that the NCB report was good and interesting.

Senator Jim Walsh also called for a debate on housing, particularly affordable housing. Different mechanisms are used by county councils to implement the obligations under Part V of the planning legislation. Some of them buy houses in other estates. It seems a random way to deal with it, but they are getting to grips with the problem. In my county a determined attempt has been made to secure social and affordable housing in different housing estates. Difficulties arise, and people complain about the problem, but the way in which it is tackled by different county councils is random. Perhaps a standard approach should be taken to the implementation of obligations under Part V of the planning legislation.

Senator Coonan spoke about the sexual assault of a woman in O'Connell Street. He raised in particular the report of Food and Drink Ireland. Three Departments, namely the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Health and Children are involved in overseeing this kind of business. He said there tends to be over-regulation in food production, but I wish to point out that we have very good small producers engaged in organic production and there are also some major producers, including some corporate Irish food producers, who are internationally acclaimed throughout the world, some of whom are based in the Senator's area.

Senator Coghlan called for a debate on Part V of the planning legislation and the different approaches to this aspect of housing.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his courtesy and hospitality yesterday on the occasion of the visit of Mr. Bruton.