Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I have no difficulty in asking the Minister to come to the House to discuss the achievements of the Government in funding for education. As Senator Hanafin said, we have had 11 years of surplus and this year is the one year we will face extreme difficulty and that will possibly continue for the following two years. Our future depends on our investment in education.

I must take on board Senator Quinn's point. As I said on yesterday's Order of Business, if a person is successful in business, what would that person be able to do if he or she had the national resources of the nation behind him or her? We must take advice from the captains of industry. That is the reason I always pay particular attention to Senator Quinn's advice to the House. We can take into account the experience of Finland when we have this debate. I know the Joint Committee on Education and Science will closely examine that and hopefully will be able to assist the Government in the future policy direction.

Senator Cummins in particular asked me about the issue of tax relief for nursing homes. I understand there are no changes in this respect. I inform the House that next week the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, will be here on Thursday for statements on the Health Information and Quality Authority nursing home standards.

Many Senators, particularly Senator Buttimer, called for the Minister, Deputy Harney, to come to the House. She has always been available to attend the House provided she is not out of the country or in the Dáil, and has been most co-operative to this House in the past 18 months. I can confirm that statements on the over 70s' entitlements to medical cards will be taken next Wednesday morning at the conclusion of the Order of Business and will continue until 1.45 p.m. Senators can be prepared for that.