Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Coghlan also asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, to review the different standards of signage for Kerry and Galway. Senator Jim Walsh also spoke about teacher training. I expect a very full debate with widespread participation when the teacher training report is discussed here. All those who spoke will need to attend. Senator Feighan suggested that we should treat our guests respectfully when they come on Friday or Saturday. I am sure many of them are here today. He also spoke about random breath tests and suggested it should be mandatory for people walking on the side of the road to wear reflective gear, with which I agree. Sometimes when driving I come across pedestrians wearing very dark clothes and I wish they had such reflective material.

Senator Terry spoke in defence of teachers in general. I understand promotions take place mostly on the basis of length of service. There is nothing wrong with that. However, the Senator feels it might not allow for an entrepreneurial young teacher to get his or her promotion. She felt it should be on ability as opposed to on years of experience.