Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I echo Senator Butler's congratulations to the Cathaoirleach and his thanks to local councillors.

As my party's spokesperson on education and science, I support Senator Coffey's request for a debate on catchment areas. In my opinion, such a debate may come within the remit of the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Haughey. However, the House should also encourage the Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin, to attend the House to discuss preschool education. Major investment has been made in first, second and third level education. In light of the work Senator White will be doing in respect of young people, it would be timely to have a debate in respect of the latter.

I support calls for a debate on the north west. As a deputy spokesperson on issues relating to the North, I am also of the view that it would be timely to discuss the degree to which matters have progressed in the recent past on foot of the new dispensation and in light of the opportunities that exist for cross-Border co-operation. It would be interesting to discuss the new political dispensation that has been facilitated by the Taoiseach and many others.