Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

Like other Senators, I would welcome a debate on the issues of cycling and recycling. Any time a Senator calls for a debate in the House on waste policy, I will absolutely support him or her because it is a crucial issue. I very much welcome the comments of Senator O'Sullivan on cycling. The legacy of Seán Kelly and Stephen Roche is certainly in danger. Cycling is not just a matter for the Green Party, it also a matter for all parties and Members of the House. It is a great way to get around and a great form of transport. I, therefore, call for a debate on the topic.

I also call for a debate on housing. There was a very interesting discussion on the subject last night and I have also heard various discussions in recent days on ghost estates throughout the country. Certain people have claimed that as many as 300,000 houses are empty, although the Minister has put the figure at slightly less than half that number. I call for a debate as a matter of urgency on the issue, particularly on the danger of ghettoisation.

As the father of a special needs child, I have campaigned long and hard on the issue and believe a debate on it would be welcomed in the House. I note, as Deputy Boyle said, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 forms part of the programme for Government. Like Senator O'Toole, I believe it is very important legislation. However, there is a danger in focusing purely on special needs assistants, as there is a range of issues which need to be debated, particularly those concerning occupational and speech therapists. If we were to have a narrow party political debate, we would not be able to reach the rights-based solution required. We need to deal with the rights of children. That is the key issue, not those working in this area.