He asked last week why it was necessary for gardaí to protect Ministers. He now knows why there was a need for gardaí to protect Ministers after what happened at the weekend and what has happened since.

The Leader is missing the point completely. I do not see why he is bringing me into it.

Senator Ivana Bacik and many other Members have condemned the violence which took place over the weekend. They have commended the Tánaiste and Senator Katherine Zappone for the dignity they displayed at the time and since. What we witnessed at the weekend and what we have witnessed in several instances since was and is totally unacceptable. Oireachtas Members have a responsibility to act responsibly at all times, but we did not witness that over the weekend. It is the duty of the Garda to ensure we have peace and that people respect the need for public order. The attacks, intimidation, bullying of gardaí, the targeting of them on social media and the threatening of them are totally unacceptable in this or any other state and should be condemned by all. Every type of excuse should be thrown aside. Gardaí are the guardians of the peace and their actions must be given full support. We cannot tolerate the hijacking of peaceful protest that we have seen in recent days. No right thinking person wants to see these incidents being repeated. I commend the 100,000 people who walked and protested a couple of weeks ago in a peaceful protest, but that was in marked contrast to what we witnessed in recent days. Senator Paschal Mooney mentioned Marxist and Trotskyite protesters. They used to be called the Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialists and so on, but many of them are now aligned with the Anti Austerity Alliance and other such alliances. The conduct we have witnessed in people latching onto these protests cannot and will not be tolerated in the State.

Senator Ivana Bacik expressed regret at the decision of the Teachers' Union of Ireland to strike. Other Senators also raised this matter. There is a need for all of the industrial resolution mechanisms of the State to come into play with the teachers and the Irish Prison Service, the issue raised by Senator John Whelan. This should be done before Ministers intervene, as I am sure they will, if necessary.

Senator Rónán Mullen and others spoke about water charges. The Government will clarify the position tomorrow.

I am sure the vast majority of the people will accept what it will propose.

The Senator also suggested some judges had little or nothing to do and should be diverted elsewhere. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton referred to the InterTradeIreland report and the positive indictors for Irish business.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan referred to peaceful protests being hijacked. He also outlined the fact that Japanese knotweed was causing major damage to native Irish species. I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Senator Mary Moran referred to the abuse targeted at public representatives. She also commended the strength and fortitude of Mairía Cahill, spoke about the need for answers from Sinn Féin and called for a debate on the matter. I will certainly try to organise such a debate.

Senator Sean D. Barrett spoke about the need for Mr. Draghi to answer many questions about the bailout. He raised points about the Garda Inspectorate's report, a matter which was also addressed by other Senators. We will try to have a debate on the report in early course.

Senator Pat O'Neill spoke about the ISPCA and the need for funding to keep its offices in several areas open.

Senators Katherine Zappone and Gerard P. Craughwell spoke about the Central Bank's proposed mortgage rules and the issue of mortgage insurance. I have invited the Minister for Finance to come to the House to debate the matter, but as I have not yet received a reply, I do not have a date for such a debate.

Senator Susan O'Keeffe said the Government was certainly listening to the people on water charges. We will see its proposals tomorrow. She also called for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister of State, Deputy Paudie Coffey, to come to the House to debate the matter next week. I have already been in contact with the offices of both the Minister and the Minister of State and hope we can have a debate next week on the Government's proposals.

Senators Diarmuid Wilson and John Gilroy spoke about the peaceful protest by 800 nurses and midwives against the increase in registration fees, a matter which has been raised in the House by a number of Senators in the past few weeks. They called on the Minister for Health to intervene. I will certainly bring the matter to his attention.

Senator Michael Mullins condemned the attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem and the deaths of four people and spoke about the need to redouble our efforts to reactivate the peace process in the Middle East. He called for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, to come to the House to update us on the matter. The Minister will be in the House next Thursday to report on the situation in the Middle East, as he indicated he would do when we were called back during the summer recess.

Senator Feargal Quinn raised the question of PPS numbers and hoped he would be in a position to withdraw his Bill tomorrow. We will see what the Government's proposals are in that regard. I advise some Senators to take a leaf out of Senator Feargal Quinn's book. There are a number of motions and Bills on the Order Paper which are out of date and perhaps the Senators concerned might consider withdrawing them.

On the Construction Contracts Bill, the Minister of State, Deputy Gerald Nash, will be in the House tomorrow, at which time Senator Feargal Quinn can raise the issue.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell raised the issue of incitement and referred to the need for An Garda Síochána to investigate that crime. He also called for the allocation of time to reflect on the mortgage rules of the Central Bank.

Senator Paul Coghlan spoke about the threat to democracy and the hijacking of peaceful protests, a matter which was also raised by Senator Paschal Mooney. I agree with the Senators' sentiments in that regard. Senator Paschal Mooney also called for a debate on the Garda Inspectorate's report and the provision of greater resources for the Garda. I also agree with him in that regard.

Senators Terry Brennan and Jim D'Arcy spoke about the protests in Dundalk last evening. Senator Terry Brennan also spoke about the success of the Shannon Heritage Group. It has seen a 12% increase in business this year, which augurs well for tourism figures into the future.

Senator John Kelly called for a debate on wind energy. On the last occasion the Senator called for such a debate I raised the issue with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White. However, I have not yet received a response from the Minister, but I will renew my efforts in that regard.

Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames spoke about incentives from the United Kingdom to Irish SMEs. This is a matter which can be raised during the debate tomorrow with the Minister of State, Deputy Gerald Nash, on financing for SMEs.

Senator Paul Bradford called for a debate on tax reform. I have asked the Minister for Finance to attend the House for a debate on that matter. However, I have not yet received a date for such a debate.

Senator Michael D'Arcy condemned the violent protests, in some instances, last week at the GPO during the 1916 Rising commemorations which were attended by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other Ministers.

Senator Cáit Keane spoke about the success and benefits of An Cosan for Jobstown and Tallaght. It is a pity the graduation ceremony on Saturday was hijacked by people who had little interest in its work.

Senator Aideen Hayden called for debates on second-chance education and the private rented sector.

Senator Paul Bradford advised us that we should learn from our mistakes. I am sure the Government and everybody else will learn from theirs. The Senator also spoke about the dangers of mob rule. Senator Michael D'Arcy condemned the unsavoury incidents witnessed in this regard.