Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

As someone who was born in Derry at the end of November 1968, the retirement of Dr. Paisley is a momentous occasion. The point was made earlier that the people who were the strongest in saying "No" have become the strongest in saying "Yes". At the recent Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis the wish was expressed by a number of delegates that Dr. Paisley would not retire in the near future, which is some change to have lived through.

As I am writing a report on the way history should be taught in areas of recent conflict I agree with Senator Alex White's sentiments that there is much to learn from what has happened. It is difficult to explain what happened but we should consider that countries like Bosnia have a minister for education for Serbs, a minister for education for Croats and a minister for education for Muslims. Imperfect as the situation may be in the Executive currently and challenging as it is to have one that crosses a number of divides, there are lessons that must be learned. Whether people are involved in the problem, the solution or both, we must recognise that the situation in the North has moved on significantly. I would like to think that the retirement of Dr. Paisley will not change that in any way. If the reason given on "Morning Ireland" this morning, that his wife did not want to see the grandchildren seeing what the children had gone through, was the only reason it happened, it is a good enough reason.

The second issue I want to raise is related to the autism debate. I fully endorse what Senator O'Toole said. It must go beyond ABA. There is ABA PECS, the TEACCH programme and many other aspects. In my own experience music therapy has brought speech to people with no speech and a reduction in repetitive behaviour in autistic children. It has a role and therefore the issue about special needs is a wider one.

I congratulate the Leader and the Minister who came to the House less than a fortnight ago to discuss this issue. The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act was part of her contribution.