Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

It would be useful if the Minister came to discuss it. It is for each school to work out its own programme for transition year. A debate on the matter would be a very good idea.

Senator Bannon referred to the spatial plan for counties Longford, Roscommon and Leitrim. He also called for a debate on the linked area of the national development plan. That is a sensible idea.

Senator McSharry called for a debate on the fishing industry. He also referred to the phenomenon of women having their drinks spiked, clearly with a further objective in mind. This is a very anti-feminist move and an unwelcome development.

Senator Ross wants to have non-political appointments to semi-State boards, an issue he has addressed in his newspaper column, to great effect, in recent years. If it was an all-round agreement, it might work.