The Order of Business for today is items 2, 3 and 14, motion 17. Item 2 is to be taken without debate. Item 14, motion 17, will be taken between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The debate on item 3 will resume after 8 p.m. if not previously concluded.
Order of Business.
On behalf of my party, I express heartfelt sympathy to the families of the two young men killed last night in County Armagh. This incident fills us with horror, outrage and anger. Two young friends having a quiet drink were shot down by people whose only intention is to destroy the peace process. As democrats, let us hope this terrible event will galvanise those involved in the peace process to renew their efforts not to allow small obstacles or contrived disagreements stand in the way of reaching a settlement which can be put to the people on schedule. I express my support and solidarity for the Government's efforts at this terrible moment.
I thank the Leader of the House for taking item 2 today. I look forward to having this business dispatched in a short time. Will the Leader inquire if the advice of the Attorney General in respect of this matter could be made available to those interested in it? There is one common concern on all sides of the House with regard to this issue, namely, to have it resolved as speedily and as satisfactorily as possible. This is not a question of scoring party political points. It would be widely appreciated if the Attorney General's advice could be made available. Will the Leader also give an indication of the business with which the House will be dealing in the coming weeks?
On the first occasion I visited Central America I recall trying to make sense of the assassinations which took place there. A local trade union leader explained the nature of the terrorism to me and stated that people were shot to terrorise others. Those carrying out such acts had lost all logic and sense. I support the comments made by Senator Manning which I am sure reflect the views of all Members. The fact that people having a quiet drink or someone selling chips at the side of the road have become the subject of violent acts carried out by those who want or do not want to make certain political changes is extraordinary. Everyone must be saddened by these events.
Last night's tragedy makes us realise that, even when we believe we have reached the end of what terrorists can do to cause outrage and shock, they will always do something else for which there is no logic or sense and which does not fit into any political objective. Two further lives have been lost due to an extraordinary method used by those who want to get their own way. There can be no place in Ireland for those who support the view that violence can be used to attain political or other ends or improve society. I am delighted by the unequivocal response of certain members of the northern Unionist population on this issue. The message from every quarter should be the same, namely, that such acts will always be wrong, regardless of the identity of those who carry them out and that everyone should con-demn them. No one should have problems expressing that view clearly but if they have, they should question their involvement in the political process.
I thank the Leader for finally restoring the Adoption (No. 2) Bill to the Order Paper. It is nice that I can thank him for doing this rather than arguing that it should be restored. I would also like access to the Attorney General's view on this, if it is not written into the memorandum to Government.
I take it the Bill will be reintroduced on Report Stage. Standing Orders allow various approaches to be taken. I have no problem with the Bill being reintroduced on Report Stage because there is only one item with which we have difficulty and it can be changed on Report Stage.
The Committee Stage was concluded and the Bill will be reintroduced on Report Stage.
I join Senators Manning and O'Toole in expressing strong condemnation of what took place in Poyntzpass yesterday. It is beyond belief that two innocent people of different religions who were drinking together were gunned down in cold blood by such violent and evil people. We will not be deflected from finding a peaceful, agreed and equitable solution which can be put to the Irish people North and South and to which we hope they will assent freely. That must send a powerful message to these evil people. We will not tolerate violence or its threat in the pursuit of that process.
I also wish to express sympathy to Senator Hanafin on the death of his sister.
Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the school transport system? It faces many problems. The debate should allow for discussion on the need for funds for the proper supervision of students. Many students have to wait for long periods for buses on which they are often unsupervised.
Will the Leader arrange for a debate at an early date on the survey of young people's views produced today by the National Youth Council? The views expressed in the report are relevant to the business of the House and we should take account of them when we consider legislation, particularly with regard to unemployment, drug abuse and other issues affecting young people.
Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House and explain the basis on which he decided not to help in the funding of private colleges?
I came into this House in 1981 at the time of the hunger strikes and I wonder how the cycle of events has continued in the North. It is time for everybody in Northern Ireland to move on. There are only two ways to go — one cannot stand still and, therefore, either Northern Ireland moves on to something new or it goes backwards. Last nights events were a deliberate attempt to attack a village which has a mixed community. It was not an attack on Catholics or Protestants, rather it was an attack on the principle that people with different religious and political views can live in harmony.
It is time for all elected representatives in Northern Ireland to talk to one another. If that does not happen it will leave gaps in society for the people who carried out last night's attack.
Will the Leader arrange for another debate on road safety and to ensure the relevant Minister is present for it? More people were killed on the roads in 1997 than any year in the preceding decade. Road deaths per head of population here are double that of Great Britain and the Netherlands; that is not acceptable. It is time we got together to see if new ideas can be generated to try to offset this frightening problem, which is intolerable for every right minded citizen.
I again call for a debate on the sale of State assets — the ICC, ACC and TSB. While I appreciate they were referred to during the debate on the Appropriation Bill, 1997, a debate is needed to specifically deal with these sales.
I support other Senators who spoke about the atrocious double murder in the North last night, but we should try to be as positive as possible. The most significant occurrence was the joint visit by David Trimble and Seamas Mallon who refused to allow this horrible deed to drive a wedge between them. Speaking as a member of the Church of Ireland, I repudiate totally the right of these people to use the words "Protestant" or "loyalist". They seem to have no concept of religion, decency or loyalty and we should not permit them to get away with using these otherwise decent and honourable terms. I was sickened by the much smaller and less tragic but nonetheless significant bombing of an integrated school by the so-called Irish National Liberation Army. Education was discussed during the debate on the Employment Equality Bill, 1997. Where are these people coming from? I know where I would like them to go.
I wish to be associated with the remarks on the dreadful killings in the North. Unfortunately, it is just adds to the very long list of victims since partition. Will the Leader arrange an immediate debate on the settling of travellers? The Minister will bring a Bill before the House, but it is essential that in advance of this a debate be held on the various issues. It is timely in view of the difficulties in which gardaí found themselves last week in Sligo.
I wish to be associated with the expressions of sympathy for Senator Hanafin on the death of this sister. I wish also to be associated with the remarks of Senators Manning, O'Toole, Dardis, Brendan Ryan, Norris and Walsh in regard to the killings in Northern Ireland yesterday. Everything that can be done to bring these people to justice will be done and it only increases our determination. As Senator Ryan said, all political parties and politicians should be speaking to each other.
The question of business for the coming weeks was raised. Next Thursday we will debate the Central Bank Bill, 1997, while on Friday the Adoption (No. 2) Bill — Report and Final Stages, will be before the House. We will not sit during St. Patrick's week. During the following week, the Finance and Social Welfare Bills will be discussed over four days.
Senators Manning and O'Toole raised the matter of seeking advice from the Attorney General in regard to item 2. I will check if this is possible and come back to the Senators over the coming days. Senator McDonagh called for a debate on school transport and this will be facilitated. Senator Cox sought a debate on the survey published today about national youth. I will be only too pleased to assist the Senator in this regard. Senator Coogan called for a debate on education. I will be able to make time available, but not for at least three or four weeks.
Senator Quill asked for a debate on road safety. I fully agree with this and since the Progressive Democrats will have Private Members' time soon we may be able to facilitate the Senator in the coming weeks. Senator Burke called for another debate on the sale of the State banks, ACC, ICC and the TSB. I will see what I can do in this regard. Since the Finance Bill will be before us the week after St. Patrick's Day and the Minister will be here for it, there will be an opportunity to discuss this. Many views were expressed about the sale of these banks on the Appropriation Bill debate. Senator Walsh asked for a debate on the settlement of travellers and I will be able to facilitate his request.
Order of Business agreed to.