Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Feeney, Norris, Ó Murchú, Kelly, O'Reilly, Mullen and Donohoe expressed their concerns regarding issues that Senator Fitzgerald highlighted in her opening remarks. I too am horrified and we send our condolences to the family of the second Polish man who lost his life. As has been said here this morning, these were model citizens coming from Poland to a beautiful part of Dublin called Drimnagh. With every day that passes the standards and respect for life are getting worse. I will arrange to have the Minister present here to update us on the challenges and his proposals to meet those challenges regarding the events that have taken place in recent months.

As I said in the House yesterday, I am endeavouring to get the Minister to come to the House to have a full debate on the abuse of alcohol. We have 4,000 off-licences in the country. The situation regarding such outlets must be reviewed given the dangers involved in young people being able to obtain alcohol freely.

Senators have expressed various views on primary schools and I will arrange for a debate on that subject with the Minister present. In 2008 alone, the Department of Education and Science will provide €167 million to primary schools for day-to-day running costs. This year the primary capitation grant increased by €15 to €178.58 per pupil, thus providing schools with more money to cover expenses such as heating, lighting and insurance. Since 1997, the standard capitation grant has increased by 212% from €57 per pupil to its current level. Over the past ten years the ancillary services grant has also been increased, by €6 to €151.

That updates the House on major investments that have been made to allow primary school boards of management to cover costs such as secretarial and caretaking expenses. Taken together these increases mean that primary schools eligible for full ancillary service grants will this year receive €330 per pupil, which is an extra €21 per pupil to cover their day-to-day running costs. A primary school with more than 300 pupils will receive €6,300 more. In fact, such a school will receive almost €100,000 this year from the Department to meet its costs. Members of this House have made an immense contribution to education and I will have no difficulty in arranging for the Minister to attend the House for a full, open and frank debate on that sector.

Senators Hannigan and Donohoe expressed concerns about the Dublin traffic management plan, particularly in view of what happened at the port tunnel yesterday. I will arrange for a debate on this matter at the earliest possible date. Senator Hannigan also referred to the top 50 companies in Ireland and congratulated Meteor on its rapid growth and success. It was pointed out in the House yesterday that Ireland is the second most expensive mobile phone area in Europe, which is unacceptable. We must see what we can do about it as a matter of urgency. I will allow for time for such a debate.

Senators Glynn, Callely and McCarthy called for an urgent debate on suicide. I fully agree with those sentiments and will arrange for such a debate. I note that Senator Glynn has worked all his life in the medical sector.

Senator Cummins referred to item 11, the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members)(Amendment) Bill 2008, but as he knows the timeframe is very tight from now to the Easter recess. The House will be dealing with legislation every sitting day until Easter.