Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I want to raise again the issue of the Donegal Youth Council. It has lost its co-ordinator post and the council has been suspended. We talk here about getting youth involved in democracy and cite the Oireachtas as being more user-friendly towards young people, in giving example etc. However, the fact the youth council has lost its co-ordinator, which has effectively suspended that body, is just not in order. To set the record straight, a Chathaoirligh, this issue was ruled out of order earlier this week on the basis of the Minister having no responsibility in this area. However, I can clarify that having spent some time with the Minister's officials last night, it was realised that the Minister very much has a role in relation to this matter.

That leads me to question the incidence of other matters being ruled out of order recently, for example the issue concerning television pictures and the change from analogue to digital that I know will cause chaos later next year. Given that the Minister was able to address this subject when it was an all-island issue, but could not do so when it was of concern only to the Republic of Ireland, can that question be raised again with the Department and the Minister ordered or asked to discuss with the Seanad the general issue of the changeover from analogue to digital and its implications? We are moving to saor view and it will be anything but for those who are experiencing difficulties with their television pictures at the moment.

Finally, I again raise the issue of organised crime in sport. If I am asked by the Council of Europe to produce a report on having an international agency involved in overseeing organised crime in sport, surely this House has the right to ask our Minister for her views in relation to this matter. Therefore I believe it is most important that Ministers address the Seanad on issues that are of importance, and not have them ruled out of order given that subsequently they may be found to be in order.