David Norris (Independent)

I am pleased to learn that the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, made proposals which are warmly welcomed by Professor Fottrell to double the number of medical places in universities throughout the country, which is very important. I hope these persons who were pinched, as in the cases brought before the House by Senator Henry and I, will now be treated with some leniency.

I support Senator Ryan's comments about trade unions. It is a pity it was left to a British member of parliament to take up the case of the woman in Dunnes Stores who was got rid off because she, as a shop steward, wore her badge. That was not right. In light of Dunnes Stores' disgraceful history regarding its women workers who stood out against apartheid, it should have been a little more sensitive.

I ask that we have a debate on the Government's plans, whatever they are, to commemorate 1916. It is important we do so because the Government launched this notion at its party's Ard-Fheis. It is a matter of national importance. This needs to be discussed particularly in light of the comments of the President a few days ago. I found her comments very regrettable. She made references to the Kildare Street Club and to a small elite governing the country. She described them as narrow and sectarian. This was not helpful.