Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Alex White raised serious concerns pertaining to teaching subjects. In one of this morning's best contributions, the Senator asked how we can use the key objectives of promoting skills and cutting-edge technology to upskill 60% of the workforce by 2020. Some €4.3 billion has been allocated to this area, which is a serious challenge to FÁS. I hope to invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, to hear the views of Senators with extensive experience as well as those of the 25 new Senators who were elected this year. The country will have to meet this challenge if it is to survive and thrive into the next generation.

Senators de Búrca, Leyden, Regan and others called for a debate on the Lisbon treaty. I am endeavouring to invite the President of the European Parliament to the House. I hoped to have him attend next week but that does not facilitate his diary. I should have a date for the House by Tuesday morning. The debate will take place before the Easter recess and, I hope, within the next three to four weeks. Following that, I hope to arrange an all-day debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, at which every Member of the House can discuss the Lisbon treaty.

Senator de Búrca wished the Irish troops well in their deployment to Chad but expressed her concerns about the difficulties they may face. I will pass on the Senator's views to the Minister for Defence.

Senator O'Donoghue called for a debate on the homeless, and those with alcohol related problems in particular, in the context of the HSE's desire to discontinue its involvement with drop-in centres. I have first-hand experience of the buses which visit various locations in the city of Dublin nightly to take people from the streets to comfortable shelter accommodation. These people are to be congratulated for the great work they do. I will pass on the Senator's concerns to the Minister for Health and Children and I have no difficulty in having a debate on the issue at the earliest possible opportunity.

Fine Gael has Private Members' time next week so Senators should discuss with their leader how they want to prioritise issues. Five weeks remain in this term, followed by a 17-week term to the summer recess.

Senator Ó Murchú requested a debate on the law and the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Senator can make his request to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges which I am sure will give serious consideration to his proposal to invite the DPP to the House for a debate on his functions.

Senators Ross and McFadden called for a debate on autism. As I have noted earlier, a debate on special needs will take place next week. The father of the House, Senator Ross, has pursued this issue for a considerable period.

Several Senators expressed their views regarding attacks on Deputies and Taoisigh of all political parties. Members have made their views known to the Chair and have received a forthright response. It is a privilege to be a Member of the Seanad or the Dáil and we must abide by the Standing Orders of the Chair, which we devised. If anything is to be changed, it will have to be done through the Committees on Procedure and Privileges. I am obliged to respect Standing Orders and the guidelines the Cathaoirleach employs when ruling on matters of this nature. If Senators so desire, they may bring their views to CPP which, under the stewardship of the Cathaoirleach, will consider them.

Senator Callely offered his congratulations to Giovanni Trapattoni. The latter's appointment created a great deal of excitement and I echo the Senator's comments.

Senator Callely also indicated his support for community pharmacists. All political parties want to see a successful resolution being reached in respect of the pharmacy issue. In addition, we want as much agreement, on an all-party basis, as it is possible to obtain. Making political points about this issue is not particularly helpful. I have my own private views regarding people's sincerity and genuineness in respect of this matter. I suppose, however, politics is politics.

What is at issue here is value for money. It was stated at the Joint Committee on Health and Children that certain drugs are 132% cheaper in Spain than in Ireland. On the other hand, however, pharmacists must be able to make a decent and honest living. Everyone supports them in that regard. We all know, particularly those of us who were reared on the margins——