Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I could not help but notice this morning that the Government appears to be waking from its slumber on the subject of child care. For some Ministers, there are indications they see the possibility of important announcements on the matter. I suspect we are a long way from action but I welcome the issue being on the agenda. My party will take some credit for this. As Senator O'Toole has said, it would be no harm to have a debate on child care issues.

The OECD report has been mentioned and the Leader and I discussed it previously. I have not read the NESF report yet but I assume it will be available. The Government has made proposals, if they amount to proposals. Let us have a debate and see if we can advance the issue on behalf, not only of the parents of Ireland, but of the children of Ireland also.

I support the calls for a debate on Northern Ireland. We wish the Taoiseach well today. We have had some very valuable debates on Northern Ireland and, though we are running out of time before the summer recess, I ask the Leader to consider arranging such a useful debate.