Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I need guidelines when there is a call for a debate. I keep a list in the office which I tick off when we get a Minister to come to the House. Should I scrap that, or what do Members want? I am annoyed at the statement about waffle.

The Senator made a good point about Oireachtas committees. I believe they are under-resourced because "authority" — I do not mean political authority — never wanted them. Deputy John Bruton was Leader of the House when I first entered the Dáil in 1982 and he set up the committee system. I recall we had a good women's rights committee. However, for some reason the committees were never adequately resourced. I believe civil servants do not like them but like matters to proceed in their own way. The committees began to get inquisitive and to find out information. I agree they are inadequately resourced and I hope the new Houses of the Oireachtas Commission will take up the issue.

Senator Minihan asked for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to discuss the falling numbers entering third level education. He also requested a debate on the recommendations of the points committee, which reported in 1999. I will endeavour to arrange that. I have asked the Minister to come to the House and I think he is willing to do so as part of his tour around the country on education.

Senator Bannon seconded Senator Brian Hayes, which is his right. He asked that we be permitted to make submissions on cohesion funding, which should re-ignite in 2006.

Senator Ormonde requested an update on progress in Europe, particularly in view of the impending EU summit. She requested the attendance in the House of the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche. She also called for a debate on education. In that context she is keen to have a review of the points system.

Senator Norris called for a debate on foreign policy. I thought it would be possible to have it this week. However, I now expect we can have it in the week following our week off. Senator Norris also referred to the issue of public health and what could be done with regard to what he called the increasingly common but filthy habit of public spitting. He also raised the manner in which people handle their dogs.

Senator Mansergh said there should not be political strikes, which found an echo around the House. Senator Terry referred to obesity in children and PE teaching in primary schools. I was reminded that training for primary school teachers includes the rudiments of PE, but she is referring to a professional teacher trained in PE.