Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I second the call by Senator Norris for a debate on rendition. It is important that we have such a debate next week, if possible.

I also want to raise the issue of the impact of lifestyles on health, and ask for a debate on this matter. The release of more studies yesterday by the Department of Education and Science make for depressing reading. Once again, they refer to the lack of indoor spaces in schools for physical education. The lack of indoor facilities means many children and their teachers have to cancel physical education exercises because they are at the mercy of the weather. It is the Minister for Education, Deputy Mary Hanafin, who should determine the physical education curriculum, not Jack Frost. It is no wonder there is a growing level of obesity in our society when schools lack the basic facilities to allow physical education to take place. If we are serious about encouraging exercise, we need to start early.

Yesterday, a report by Ipsos Mori on the participation of elderly people in active life suggested that three out of five of them have sedentary lifestyles. Only one in five takes a sufficient level of exercise to maintain and improve his or her health. Last night the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine stated that one of the biggest problems facing accident and emergency departments is the persistent and excessive level of overcrowding. Is it any wonder the accident and emergency departments are so overcrowded when, as a nation, we fail to promote and encourage exercise in the community?

We need to start by encouraging exercise in our community. It is not just about providing more hospital beds and getting more doctors, we can reduce the level of such overcrowding by encouraging exercise. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on preventative measures to ensure we see lower levels of heart disease through encouraging participation in sport and investment in school buildings to allow children to exercise indoors during physical education periods.