Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I understand amendments have been tabled all round. There is a delay but it is expected the amendments will be ready by the end of this term, which is fair enough. We should have the Bill before us this term and we will press to ensure that is the case.

Senator O'Toole raised the matter of an interim report by the committee set up by both Houses to look into the Judge Curtin case. The Deputy Leader, who is on the committee, has informed me it is meeting at the moment. The terms of reference state that it will report back to the House when a report is ready. The committee does not envisage an interim report.

I was asked about special educational needs, in particular the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 which we passed, and about the Minister for Education and Science's comments this morning. The Minister was particularly clear. She wants to keep money to serve the needs of people rather than spend it on litigation.