Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Finucane, the deputy leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the pupil-teacher ratio and the statement on this issue by the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin. The words "noble aspiration" were good ones to use. The Senator wants the Minister to come to the House to talk about the pupil-teacher ratio and the shortage of teachers. I will endeavour to ensure that happens. He mentioned special needs assistants, in particular, and the scheme which this House welcomed. However, the Senator pointed out the lack of lucidity as to which schools will be involved. Senator O'Toole raised the pupil-teacher ratio and the disadvantage it entails. He said there is a supply of teachers in the colleges and they can supply more. This underlines the case for bringing the Minister to the House.

Senator Ryan said 120,000 children are in classes of more than 30. That is another matter which we will endeavour to have the Minister address in the House. He also talked about the re-ordering of priorities and the role of regulators. The Minister is considering more amendments to the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 which he has promised to discuss on Committee Stage here. It is hoped the Bill will be back in the Seanad within the next two weeks.

Senator Mooney began by speaking about the film "Bad Santa" but he had a wider concern about how the film censorship board issues certificates. He also spoke of how videos can proliferate without regulation of any kind.

Senator John Paul Phelan spoke about the promise on the pupil-teacher ratio being reneged on. He also asked about cancer treatment in the south east. Senator Glynn claimed that bonfires, rockets and repeaters had made this the worst Halloween in memory. We have asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether he has plans to enforce the Act which deals with this. Senator Norris wondered how often American Gulfstream jets land at Shannon bearing prisoners.

The all-party committee on the Constitution in currently investigating the whole issue of the family. This will be a serious judgment and the two women in question face a long road ahead. They have been given the right to take their case to a review. This marks a step forward on the matter.

Senator Leyden asked if other parties would ease off on the issue of rip-off Ireland. He started it himself.