Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes referred to the likely impact of the Book of Estimates on the schools building programme. Everyone in the House seeks an early debate on the Estimates. If they are not published until late tomorrow afternoon it would be difficult to secure the attendance of the appropriate Minister. It would be better to postpone a debate until next week in order to absorb them. Senators on both sides of the House have sought such a debate, but come 5 p.m. tomorrow evening many Members may have had to leave for various reasons and we would not have had sufficient time to fully read the details of the Book of Estimates. It is a huge and complex document on which I support an early debate.

I support the call for a debate in regard to the task force on emigration and will endeavour to arrange it as soon as possible. Yesterday, Senator Ryan clearly created a groundswell for a debate on the construction industry, planning, An Bord Pleanála and various other matters. It is appropriate that we have the relevant Minister in the House for such a debate as it is the stuff of everyday life and affects so many people.

The Senator also referred to education as being a productive matter rather than just a social one. I agree and recall from my own days as Minister for Education and Science that the Department of Finance was totally obdurate in its belief that education was a social issue rather than a productive one.

Senator Kitt referred to the dismantling of the rail line and the signalling system at Athenry. I am aware of this issue in regard to which I have received numerous e-mails and telephone calls. The Minister for Transport will be in the House tomorrow and I urge the Senator to explain the issue to him. I am sure he will get a sympathetic hearing.