Mary Henry (Independent)

There is definitely a need for a debate on Northern Ireland. There would be time for it next week if we delayed taking Committee Stage of the Health Bill. I do not know if Senators have had a chance to read it as it was passed by Dáil Éireann yesterday but it has changed considerably from the Bill as initiated. It is reported in today's newspapers that it is not proposed to implement this legislation on 1 January. Therefore, we would have time to take Committee Stage of this very important Bill when the House resumes and have the debate on Northern Ireland next week.

Will the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Science to come before the House to address the issue of bullying in schools, which was raised by Senator Norris? A pilot project on this issue was carried out in Donegal, which was devised by Professor Mona O'Moore of Trinity College. It was a huge success and everyone agreed it should be promoted all over the country but this has not happened. We moan and groan about young people committing suicide, yet we could make a difference in this area by implementing policies on bullying in schools but the Department of Education and Science is doing nothing about it.