Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I am glad that County Westmeath is participating fully in the scheme.

Senator Fitzgerald, from his own knowledge, raised the report on teacher training and called for a full debate on the matter. Perhaps the report has illustrated the need for such a debate.

Senator Norris spoke about what happened here last night but we shall not go back over that. He also mentioned the Defamation Bill and raised the arrest yesterday of a journalist. The Defamation Bill will be before the Seanad again next week so there will be an opportunity to discuss the matter then. The Senator also mentioned the pastoral letter from the Catholic Church on the dangers of alcoholism and we should note that.

Senator Browne called for an independent financial analysis of the VHI, saying that the Minister commented on it last night without elaborating any further. He also mentioned the standards of teaching and the relevance of the curriculum in the teacher training colleges. I am sure that can be considered in the report and perhaps it needs to be considered.

Senator Quinn does not agree with quickie legislation, nor does anybody in this House. I appreciate what he is saying because I do not like quickie legislation. However, I recognise a major financial difficulty when it appears. The point he made about teacher training and the parents is correct. Even parents who did not have children in primary schools were worried about that report, which needs to be fully debated.

Thankfully Senator Coghlan's Private Members' Bill has reached fruition in that he has heard from the Minister of State with responsibility for housing.