Like other colleagues, I join in condemning the imprisoning - no other word can be used for it - over the weekend of the Tánaiste, the Deputy Leader of the Government, by so-called democrats carrying out what they called a protest. Unfortunately, it was not a protest. It was an orchestrated event that intimidated not only innocent bystanders, but put members of An Garda Síochána and the public in danger, not to mention the effect it had on the Tánaiste. I also condemn what happened to the Minister for Finance yesterday and the Taoiseach last night.

It is unfortunate, however, that Senator Pat O’Neill has tried to politicise what happened in Sligo last night by mentioning a colleague of ours in this House, Senator Marc MacSharry. I have no idea if he was at that protest. If he was, he was entitled to be there as a public representative. As in all democracies, people are entitled to demonstrate in an orderly manner. I have no doubt if Senator Marc MacSharry were present at last night’s demonstration that is exactly what he would have done. There is a long-standing precedent in this House that a colleague is not mentioned in the Chamber in his or her absence. I would like to see that continue. I would not like to see Members sinking to the same level as some people outside on so-called protests.

This morning, 800 nurses and midwives took part in a protest in Blackrock, County Dublin. It was effective, constructive and peaceful. That is the way a protest should be conducted. These are hardworking nurses and midwives protesting against the doubling of the mandatory registration fee with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. They have been subjected to cut after cut, like ordinary workers across the length and breadth of the State. Doubling their registration fee is a step too far. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health to intervene in this matter?

We, as a Government, are entitled to take criticism for the way the whole Irish Water issue has been handled. I am glad we have listened to the people who have marched and demonstrated peacefully, and who have contacted each and every one of us as public representatives. I hope tomorrow when the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, rolls out the plan and the charging regime for Irish Water, as well as clarifying all aspects of its governance, that most people will be happy.

We are all happy we live in a democracy. However, it is very fragile and needs to be tended. There is a responsibility on elected representatives to act responsibly and ensure our democracy is not put at risk.

It is wrong that a Member of Dáil Éireann would be out with a megaphone among people who were angry, inciting them to hatred and possibly putting many young people, gardaí and other adults at risk. Those public representatives should reflect on their actions to ensure that legitimate protest will always be part of our democracy and that people will be able to protest without fear of being injured. What happened in Jobstown was a personal insult to another Member of the Oireachtas, Senator Katherine Zappone, who with colleagues has done much for the educational system in Tallaght and who deserved respect as did the Tánaiste who turned up to acknowledge the fine work being done there. What happened is to be regretted and I hope we never see a repeat of it.

I join in the condemnation of the appalling attack on the synagogue in Jerusalem today in which four people were brutally murdered as they worshipped in their place of prayer. As the US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, said it was an act of pure terror. I call on Hamas and President Abbas to immediately condemn those horrific killings. I am very worried about a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, who has vowed to respond with a heavy hand. World leaders, EU representatives and our Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade need to do everything possible to redouble their efforts to get the peace talks going. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House at the earliest opportunity to update us on progress in the Middle East.

I follow the words of Senator Mullins, who referred to Senator Katherine Zappone's balanced words that I heard on the radio the other day following what we had seen in Jobstown. The Senator was just one of those who brought a balance to the words and expressions made. If there is to be a change tomorrow in regard to Irish Water - I hope there will be - it will come about because of the strength of feeling of the large number of people who marched and expressed their concerns and upset over what was happening. It will not have come about because of the violent tactics used by a very small number of individuals.

Last week the Leader immediately responded and allowed me to introduce a Bill, which by tomorrow or Thursday I hope I will be able to withdraw again. Its purpose was to ensure that Irish Water would not obtain people's PPS numbers. Based on all the reports we now have, I believe Irish Water will not be given those numbers and on that basis, I hope tomorrow or Thursday I will be able to stand up and withdraw the Bill I had introduced last week. I am sure the Leader will respond to me in that way.

I have concern over another Bill - a Bill that was passed 480 days ago - the Construction Contracts Act. It was passed here and in the Dáil. It passed through a number of Minister's hands from the late Mr. Brian Lenihan Jr., to Mr. Brian Hayes, MEP, and others. Some 480 days ago it was signed by President Higgins but has not come into operation yet. It has been passed again to different Ministers to see how we can go about doing it. The Minister of State, Deputy Gerald Nash, was given responsibility for it last week. I urge the Leader to do something about this good legislation. The subcontractors were delighted with it and are crying out for it. The Government got considerable praise for allowing the Bill to pass - it does not always accept Bills from Independent Senators - yet nothing has happened since. While there may be valid reasons for the delay I have not heard them. I hope the Minister of State will now grab hold of the situation and bring the legislation into force right away.

It would be remiss of me today not to pay tribute to the Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton, and to commend her and our colleague, Senator Katherine Zappone, for their dignity, courage and composure and for the consideration they showed at all times for the welfare, well-being and safety of others, with no regard for their own welfare. It is sufficient to say that what we saw and what was witnessed has no place in our Republic or in a democracy. It did a grave disservice to the people of the Jobstown and Tallaght community and is not representative of those people and the people from that working-class area. They deserve better leadership. We saw great leadership from two courageous women as the horror and intimidation unfolded to our disbelief.

We are at a critical juncture in our country as the year draws to a close in terms of our tentative and fragile economic and social recovery. Therefore, I appeal for the intervention of two Ministers into two potentially hazardous and destructive strike actions which are looming. Members of the POA in the Prison Service have been forced to go on a work to rule which will escalate in the next fortnight to a full blown strike unless there is some resolution, some common-sense. The Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald is a very sensible person and a level-headed Minister who can intervene. Working in a prison is not like doing any other job. It is a very dangerous job. People working in the Prison Service work in a confined, "Love/Hate" environment on an ongoing basis. They are family men and women. Certain elements within the Prison Service management system are trying to goad and provoke them through the unilateral introduction of new work practices which are outside the scope and terms of the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements. I ask the management to withdraw these new work practices in the interest of safe and sensible management of our prison service because these new work practices which are being introduced are vindictive and tantamount to bullying of the prison officers.