John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I partially agree with Senator Leyden's comments regarding FBD's unfortunate announcement about the closure of a number of offices around the country. The company provides a service of which I avail, similar to the Senator. It is unfortunate at this time that a company that has done well in recent years is seeking to reduce the number it employs.

I support Senator O'Toole and others who have asked numerous times for a debate on education. The failure of the Minister for Education and Science to appear in the House to deal directly with the budget cutbacks since the Budget Statement is shocking. I asked the Leader about this last week and he said he was not having difficulty inviting Ministers to the House but I wonder whether he is because this is a particularly embarrassing subject for the Government and the Minister for Education and Science has not come into the House. Something must be happening to say he has not appeared. I do not accept it could not have been arranged at some stage, particularly in a week such as this when the House is sitting four days and, for example, business is due to adjourn this evening at 7 p.m. There is time for an education debate later and given there are four Ministers of State in the Department, if the Minister cannot be present for the entire debate, I do not see why he could not be present for part of it at least.

I join with Members who have referred to the announcements and pronouncements of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs about pensions over the weekend. She did not reassure thousands of people who have invested in private pensions and who are facing an uncertain retirement. Her performance to date has not been satisfactory and it would be useful if she attended the House to discuss the issue.

Before the House adjourns for the Christmas recess, will the Leader ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to come to the House? I acknowledged he attended recently for a fisheries debate. However, the farm waste management scheme is scheduled to cease at the end of the year and many farmers are in the middle of completing work. If the work is not completed by the end of the year, grants will not be payable and this potentially could have serious consequences for them. The ewe premium being sought by farming organisations for a period is also an issue. Mr. Liam Aylward, MEP, produced a report on this issue for the European Parliament. Last week a protest took place and sheep were left outside the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. It is a few years since a similar but more famous IFA protest outside the Department but we could usefully have the Minister in to discuss both issues and I would like that to happen between now and the end of the session.