Item 1 will not be taken before 12 midday. Item 2, the Child Trafficking and Pornography Bill, 1997, will be taken at the conclusion of item 1 but after 12 midday and will conclude at 4 p.m. If Second Stage is not concluded at 4 p.m. the debate will continue from 8 p.m.
Senator Connor, Senator Avril Doyle and Senator Costello expressed concern at the way the urgent report on child sexual abuse in swimming has been presented to the House. The same procedure will take place in the Dáil. This procedure was agreed among the Whips to facilitate the committee meeting at which the Minister will make the report public. What is reported in the newspapers is not at the discretion of the House. It is my intention that Senators will have as much time as they require to discuss the report in the Seanad.
Senator Finneran asked for a debate on the National Roads Authority. There was a useful debate on this subject during Private Members' business in the last session and I will allocate time for a further debate in the next session. Senator Connor expressed concern about the western development Bill. I understand the Bill is at an advanced stage of drafting and I will report to the Senator on what progress has been made early next week.
Senator Burke and Senator McDonagh asked that the Minister for Public Enterprise give assurances to the Seanad and the public on rail safety and that she come to the Seanad to discuss the report on rail safety. I will convey their wishes to the Minister. Senator O'Donovan asked for a debate on the carnage taking place on our roads. He suggested that the Minister for Education and Science as well as the Minister for the Environment and Local Government participate. Everybody was shocked by the dreadful accident which occurred in County Laois last weekend and the Senator proposed that an education programme for young drivers be introduced as a matter of urgency. I will convey the Senator's request and I will allocate time for that debate in the next session.
I will consider Senator Coghlan's request in relation to item 15 and report to the House tomorrow morning. Senator Gallagher and Senator Hayes were also concerned that the report on child sexual abuse in swimming be discussed in the House. I will arrange for a debate on the report before the end of this session.
Senator Lydon asked for a debate on the enlargement of the European Union. I will allocate time for that debate early in the next session. Senator Avril Doyle called for statements and a question and answer session on the Insurance Ombudsman of Ireland. If time permits and the Minister agrees, I have no objection to such a proposal. The format has been used successfully in the past but many Senators are anxious to participate in a debate on this matter so there must be agreement among them on the proposal.
Senator Dan Kiely spoke about private nursing homes and the high cost of such homes for senior citizens. I would welcome a debate on this matter. The Minister for Finance addressed the issue in the budget and I hope the private sector will take up the new incentives that were introduced. As Senator Kiely said, there is an urgent need for nursing homes and it should be the next area of investment by the private sector.
Senator Bohan highlighted the enormous difficulties being experienced by the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Social, Community and Family Affairs as a result of the influx of illegal refugees. Many Senators will be anxious to contribute to a debate on this subject and I will endeavour to facilitate them at the earliest opportunity. Senator Bonner sought a debate on the IDA report and asked that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment come to the Seanad to discuss the fact that the north west has not benefited from the celtic tiger economy. That is true of many other parts of the island. I will allocate time for such a debate.