Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I agree with and support Senator Twomey's call to the Leader to arrange a debate to allow the Minister for Education and Science to deal with the issue of the education of children, particularly children with special needs and autism. A very serious charge has been made. It would be serious if there is lingering animosity on the part of civil servants in that Department. We do not know if that is the case but the Leader's immediate predecessor knows something of the matter and is a former Minister for Education. The current holder of that office should be allowed to comment and we could have a useful debate. The matter needs to be cleared up.

The Leader might now have more information on a matter I tried to raise previously, namely, local electoral area boundaries. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has in place electoral area committees. Submissions must be with the committees by 14 March and they are to report finally by June. One of their terms of reference lays out that they must have regard to and respect for Dáil constituency boundaries. New boundaries are proposed for Dáil elections but the electoral Bill to give effect to this is not yet published, as the Leader is aware. I understand it is the Government's intention to publish it but it may not be enacted prior to the end date of 20 June.

My question is simple. To which Dáil constituencies will the committees dealing with local electoral area boundaries have regard? Will it be those fought in the last general election or some others? I would like to hear the Leader's response.