Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator MacSharry's call for discussions on competitiveness in the north west and ask that such a debate be extended to the entire western region. The current manufacturing situation throughout the country is affecting our exports and is a reflection of the difficulties which Irish manufacturing companies face when operating in a global economy.

I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate on the issue of special needs education. Over the past few years, when legislation on disabilities and education passed through both Houses, discussions were held on the issue of children who, on turning 18 are no longer the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science. I would like the Minister to report to this House on events subsequent to the enactment of that legislation and to indicate the improvements made to provisions for 18 year olds with special needs. While I believe that will make for short reading, I would like the opportunity to debate the matter.

I twice raised the issue of Great Southern Hotels and, if the matter is not discussed this week, I will take action next week on the Order of Business. When we asked for a debate, the Leader suggested that she would arrange one when the Minister returned from America this week. Unfortunately, it does not appear possible to get a Minister to address the issue this week, so I ask that the debate be held next week. If that is not possible, we will have to amend the Order of Business to facilitate it.