Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, called for a debate, if possible next week, on the proposed EU constitution. We are in the process of drawing up a timetable for next week and will try to have such a debate included in some format. The Senator made a valid point. All political parties are inclined to wait until such matters are far advanced before laying the groundwork. If we laid the groundwork we might obviate a repetition of the Nice debacle.

The Senator also raised the issue of decentralisation and referred to the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon. I thought he was very calm and conciliatory this morning. He said his door was open and that anybody could come in, including the Senators who spoke earlier. I hope that will happen and that the Oireachtas committee will be able to renew its discussion on the matter.

Senator O'Toole stated his view that the Oireachtas committee would now debate the issue of decentralisation. These are definitely calmer times, and I expect the debate would be fruitful.

Senator O'Toole also raised the issue of the Mahon tribunal. The Second Stage of the Commissions of Investigation Bill 2003 is to be taken here later today. Its purpose is to simplify and reduce the cost of tribunals and modify the way in which issues are examined by them. Perhaps the interim report could be debated in that context, given that the Senator asked for a debate on the interim report and wanted to know when the change to the terms of reference requested by Judge Mahon would be made. I am sure that information will come through the Office of the Taoiseach or the Department of Finance. I am not sure whether this will be next week.

The Senator also raised the issue of primary schools. When times were difficult PE halls and general purpose rooms, as they were called, were used as classrooms as well as for PE. Physical education leads to the holistic development of people. Now that it is being mooted that the lack of it is one of the main causes of obesity, the issue should be discussed. My colleague, Senator Dardis, raised the issue within his own party. Fianna Fáil Senators have also raised it. We will try to have a debate on it next week, if we can find time to do so.

Senator Ryan agreed we should have a debate on the proposed EU constitution. He also asked whether the State Airports Bill will be taken next week. The Committee Stage debate has just begun in the Dáil. We must await its progress. In the meantime we must move ahead with our business as arranged for next week.

The Senator also raised the issue of the cost of land acquisition by the NRA. That was a matter of debate in Cabinet at the time. This could tie in with a debate on the NRA and how the cost of land acquisition added to the cost of road building.

The Senator also stated that Ireland is being prosecuted for 118 breaches of European environmental law. The European Union issues regulations fairly freely. Having said that, it is a large number of breaches. I will seek precise information on how those matters are being dealt with.

Senator MacSharry agreed we should have a debate on the proposed EU constitution. He also called for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to be invited to the House to debate the review of local government funding so we can have an input rather waiting until it is disbursed and having in input post facto. I will inquire as to whether the Minister, Deputy Cullen, will come to the House to debate the issue.

Senator Finucane welcomed decentralisation. In the debate in this House everybody was in favour of it. We need more debate on how it is to be achieved. There will be no compulsion. That would be ridiculous. Nobody wants decentralisation by compulsion. What is sought is decentralisation by agreement. In the 1970s Athlone was the first centre to benefit from decentralisation when the Department of Education moved there. The people love it. It is a huge asset to the town and everybody has settled in. It is a marvellous facility and is working very well. That took place before faxes, e-mail and modern methods of communication came on stream. Decentralisation can and does work. However, it will require effort to get it right.

Senator Jim Walsh also joined in calls for a debate on the Mahon tribunal. I missed the interchange yesterday and cannot, therefore, comment.