Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

It has been acknowledged that we want a community-oriented service and I welcome the fact that this was reflected in the Minister's contribution this evening.

In terms of education, the Minister has also thought about co-ordination between the Departments of Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform because many young people would like to have this training in this area. We have the Early Start and Breaking the Cycle programmes. I would like to see these policies implemented but it is the children of six months to two years about whom I worry most. I would like to see some programmes introduced, and I am aware the Minister is thinking about this area in terms of flexi-time, allowing mothers to stay at home and providing a quality child care service in a community. Such an approach, which the Minister referred to it in his contribution, would be very welcome.

This is a golden opportunity to drive home the message that we should not play politics with this issue but consider how best to provide a quality child care service to the children of the future. That is what we should be talking about and we should be all singing the same tune. There are many in the other House who have a different opinion to those of Members who spoke here tonight but at the end of the day we must introduce what we believe is the best policy, and what the Minister said here this evening reflects that.