Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The suggested wording was very long and we are trying to make it more concise.

On the other matter mentioned by Senator Bacik, which was dealt with by the Deputy Leader, this is a legislative week in the House and always has been. Legislation must come first. Senators Mary White, Donohoe, Walsh and McDonald expressed their views on the development of child care policy. Senator Mary White was strong in her vote of congratulations to the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brendan Smith. I have no difficulty in setting aside time to discuss this. We will probably have many such discussions in the lifetime of the Seanad.

Senator Donohoe spoke on the radio yesterday about the delivery of public services and value for money. Everyone can fully support him in this and agree with the thrust of his argument, which is that we need a better return on taxpayers' money in this regard. This will be debated at the earliest opportunity in the House.

Senator McFadden called for the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to discuss health services in the Midlands. I have no difficulty with this. I know the Senator will want me to welcome last week's allocation of the dormant account funds from RAPID. A total of €5 million was allocated. The Department of Education and Science has announced that St. Joseph's College in Summerhill, in the Senator's home town of Athlone, is to receive a significant allocation to upgrade its existing facilities. I know she will welcome this announcement in this evening's local papers, as I do.