Seanad debates

Thursday, 29 November 2007

10:30 am

Photo of Feargal QuinnFeargal Quinn (Independent)

During the debate on Seanad reform last night the point Senator Keaveney made was discussed, that is, the opportunity for Members of the Seanad to ask Ministers questions. That would be a very useful way to go. I would like to invite two Ministers to the House to do what the Minister for Health and Children did last week.

Earlier Senator Fitzgerald referred to Lucan and Senator O'Toole talked about the Protestant ethos being maintained. Let us make sure we also maintain the Catholic ethos. The reason I mention it is that I heard the interview on radio earlier this morning with Educate Together in Adamstown and with the Gaelscoileanna. There is a need to ask the Minister for Education and Science to look again at the setting up of new schools. Catholic schools have been established for generations. That worked very well. We ended up with a marvellous education system.

There are now schools of varying ethos, one of which is Educate Together. There are people who want a different type of education to a religious one and clearly they need set up money to establish themselves. As the head teacher explained, the same amount of money, €6,374, is given to a school whether it is a 12-teacher or a two-teacher one. There is clearly a need to look again at that.

The House the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government attended the House last night but I would like the Leader to invite him to return to return as there is a need for him to answer questions on his views on planning matters. Last year Senator Mary White and I mentioned the number of petrol stations which are disappearing because land is being used for other purposes. Golf courses, which give us green spaces around our cities, seem to be disappearing. In north Dublin, I can think of Clontarf. I gather Dún Laoghaire golf club recently disappeared. There is also talk about Foxrock golf club and Douglas golf club in Cork. These green spaces were great to look at but we are losing them. While the land may be put to worthwhile use, we need to have a discussion on the issue and it would be useful if it could take place in this House. The Minister could also answer the question the Irish Rural Dwellers Association asked about appointments to An Bord Pleanála.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.