Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We have it every weekend.

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised a matter about which we are all concerned, the devastating news about Waterford Crystal. I can only imagine the impact of the loss of that number of jobs in a town the size of Dungarvan. As Senator Cummins is aware I visited that plant twice during last autumn and winter. It is amazing that this number of employees are to be let go.

A debate has been requested on indigenous employment and competitiveness. I understand from a programme I heard this morning that one of the issues is the price of the dollar vis-À-vis the euro, which is an extremely serious one for the company. Another issue is that of marketing. I will seek a debate on the general issue of indigenous industry. We all regret very much what has happened to the Waterford Crystal factories.

Senator Brian Hayes also called for a debate on the loss of 70 special needs assistants jobs. As I understand it, the Minister for Education and Science is concluding her review on that matter. She is a person with great common sense and when she has concluded her review I am sure she will not let those skilled people go. A redeployment system or whatever one might call it would be helpful in this respect. These are people with skills which have been honed in dealing with a particular child. However, if one is good with children who have a disadvantage, one can transfer that skill to another child in one's care. I hope that will be the outcome in this case. I will raise this matter with the Minister. I consider it is a suitable matter for debate.

Senator O'Toole raised the issue of the Marino Institute of Education. He spoke of intimidation there and it sounded like a house of mystery and mayhem involving issues concerning money and all the rest of it. The Senator asked for a debate or statements on the issue, the latter might be the way to deal with this matter. I will speak to the Senator after the Order of Business. As the story was revealed yesterday, we are a little in mysteryland about it because we do not know any of the details. It is difficult to get them. I heard the Senator speaking on the matter on radio yesterday. He obviously knows more about it than he has said, and I can understand how he does.

Senator Ryan raised the matter of the loss of skilled staff. He made the point that when crystal is fashionable tableware in the future, which it surely will be, such skills, which made that product so desirable, will be lost.

Senator Ryan also raised the matter of the criminal incident in Cork. Of all the crimes we have heard debated, this crime was dreadful. There were two aspects to it. One was that the children slept through the ordeal which was amazing. The other was that one of the criminals who was meant to be in charge fell asleep. There was some hope for people captured in such circumstances in that the criminals were not very professional. I agree with the Senator that the fact they have proven links with the IRA shows how low and petty its members have sunk in terms of the level of activity in which they have become engaged. The Senator described the incident as "brutal", "squalid" and "criminal". They are terrific adjectives and so correct in this case.

Senator Ulick Burke raised the matter of the loss of SNA jobs and proposed the introduction of a panel system. I do not know how that would work but it should work. These people have honed their skills and those skills should not be lost. Senator Minihan endorsed what Senator Ryan said. He said these criminals should get no comfort or succour.

Senator Norris raised the matter of the loss of the special needs assistants jobs. He also raised the issue of accident and emergency departments, which was discussed at great length by Joe Duffy on his radio show. Joe has become a male Florence Nightingale.