Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

On foot of yesterday's Order of Business, it is important we have a debate on public private partnerships at the earliest opportunity because the future of an enormous number of projects in this country is dependent on such partnerships, given the policy adopted by the Government in recent years. I understand Senator Dan Boyle has a particular interest in this area, having written a paper on public private partnerships some time ago. We must examine this issue, especially given the plans for co-located hospitals which are heavily dependent on public private partnerships. On that note, I draw the attention of the House to the €1 billion cost for those co-located hospitals, which is far more than was originally intended. This begs the question whether this is the best way forward in terms of increasing the number of hospital beds in the country.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the future of the Abbey Theatre. I wish to ascertain what stage the relocation plans have reached. There have been a number of suggestions in the House that the site should be reconsidered. I ask the Leader to give Members a briefing or arrange a debate on the future of the Abbey Theatre and the timeframe for the building programme. It is critical that there is clarity and a firm commitment on the future of this important cultural establishment.

Later today we will discuss Transport 21 during Private Member's time. I note that yesterday Senator Dan Boyle and Deputy Ciarán Cuffe took a bus trip around St. Stephen's Green. They proposed, as a result of that trip, to tax commuters who do not use public transport. Perhaps the Leader or Senator Boyle will take the opportunity to clarify whether it is now Government policy to tax people for not using public transport which is simply not available in many areas. There are quality bus corridors in Clondalkin with no buses running on them. In Lucan, because of outdated legislation, Dublin Bus cannot schedule additional buses because there is a private operator in the area. It seems the Government is putting the cart before the horse. Will Senator Boyle support the Government motion on Transport 21, given the Green Party's serious criticisms of it?

This is Say No to Ageism Week and it is very important we lead in this House with a debate on ageism. Such a debate was scheduled for a few weeks ago but had to be cancelled. It is an important area and there are many examples of ageism throughout the country. It is an insidious problem. We must expose it and change practices in a number of areas. A debate in the House would be a good place to start.