Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the new Government Whip in the Seanad, Senator Wilson, and the assistant Whip, Senator Glynn, on their appointments. I also extend warm congratulations to all of the Fianna Fáil Senators who have been given very important portfolios. We look forward to fulfilling our duties, in a joined-up way, during the next five years.

I join Senator Mullen in wishing Team Ireland the very best of look at the Special Olympics which will take place in Shanghai during the coming weeks. This year, the team consists of 142 athletes, competing in 12 different sports, 55 coaches and 200 volunteers from the 18,000 involved in the Special Olympics movement in Ireland. I know our athletes will do us proud, irrespective of whether they win, lose or draw. This House certainly sends its best wishes to the athletes and their coaches.

I join Senators Doherty and Keaveney, my colleagues in Donegal, in supporting the call for a debate on employment matters pertaining, although not exclusively, to our county. I have reservations about the way the IDA implements Government policy in terms of creating jobs in the regions. I would certainly like to put this issue to the Minister when he comes to the House. Donegal and other Border counties have experienced huge difficulties as a result of the conflict in the north of Ireland. Senator Keaveney is correct is saying that the institutions now up and running and power sharing will bring new life to the Border counties. We should try to embrace this. As I said here last week, it is also important that when the Minister of Finance comes to the House, the issue of a special dispensation or incentive for the Border counties will be on the agenda.

I support Senator Coffey's call for the Minister responsible for school transport to come to the House. My portfolio encompasses lifelong learning, youth work and school transport. It is a sad day for those travelling on school transport because of the death of the 56-year-old male driver at High Street in Elphin, County Roscommon. There were 26 pupils on the bus. If one puts this in context, every morning and evening, 140,000 pupils go to and from school on the school transport system. It costs the Exchequer €111 million, approximately 5% of which comes from local contributions. Since the accident on that dreadful day on 23 May 2005 much has been done to address many of the safety issues associated with school transport.

Coming from local authority backgrounds, we are all aware of the HSE and what it is doing at the moment. We should have a discussion on it and perhaps look at discussing the standard of some of the buses being used for school transport purposes.