Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I support the point made by Senator Brian Hayes concerning school discipline. This issue has been debated for many years. Discipline is particularly important at this time of the year when teachers are under considerable pressure to complete a programme of work in the run up to examinations but must face out of control blackguards who make their working conditions intolerable. Teachers simply do not know what to do.

I also support the call for a debate on the task force on obesity and particularly note the points raised by Senator O'Toole concerning how we can best integrate a new system into our primary and secondary education sectors. I would go further in arguing that this issue is about community leaders — parents, teachers, doctors and others — playing their part. Fighting obesity involves educating young people about diet and healthy living.

A debate is required on planning legislation, which was to have been revisited at some stage. I acknowledge that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, is always ready to come here and debate issues with Members. I am dissatisfied with the guidelines concerning high rise developments and the gung-ho approach of some county managers in dealing with applications. The Minister should revisit this area and discuss it with the House.

We also need a debate before the next general election on voter registration. This issue becomes very significant at election time when people suddenly discover they are not on the register of electors. The system of registering voters must be simplified. This issue could perhaps be included in future debates on environmental issues.