Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Norris, Ormonde, Healy-Eames and Mullen expressed their serious concerns regarding human rights issues and everything pertaining to them. I can pass on their strong views to the Minister. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, was to be in the House this week but, as we know, he has accompanied President McAleese to the Gulf. I have another date arranged in the Minister's diary. On Tuesday last the Taoiseach and Government made an extra allocation of funding to the Department of Education and Science and the Minister.

Senators Keaveney, McCarthy and Callely called for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan, to come to the House to discuss innovation and entrepreneurship. At that discussion or perhaps today, the spokespersons should make an issue of the concerns we heard this morning on the radio and in the newspapers regarding the low level of students taking up science and maths. I will be guided in this House on how we can play our part. When I was Chairman of the enterprise, trade and small business committee I proposed that an extra 50% of marks should be given in the leaving certificate to encourage students in maths and science to take these two subjects because this is where the high end jobs will be in the future when the global economy begins to pick up.

Senators McCarthy and Buttimer called for a debate on the sports capital programme, the success of which has been fantastic. Every parish in Ireland has benefited over the years from the national lottery funding. I very much admire the Minister, who has been very willing to come to this House in all the portfolios he has held as Minister or as Minister of State. If I had a criticism of the Minister it is that if I were in his shoes I would not have announced the funding until early this year because he got very little credit and thanks for it. Now he has to say truthfully and honestly the funding probably has to go to health. He says it is going back into the Exchequer. However, those of us who are here a long time know it is probably going into the health portfolio because that is where the money is needed most. We have to understand that. The use to which the national lottery funding has been put throughout the country has been immense. We have seen it in all voluntary organisations. I ask the people of Ireland to continue supporting the national lottery because if the funding is going to health it is going to an equally, if not more, deserving cause in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

I will pass on Senator Callely's views to the Minister regarding the particular school. However, as the Cathaoirleach has correctly pointed out, this could be a matter for an Adjournment debate when the Senator could make his very worthy case. I will have no problem holding a debate on Senator Mullen's serious concern regarding what is taking place in the courts regarding human embryos. Private Members' time is coming up for the Independent Members in a few weeks' time. If legislation does not allow us to take it in the House, perhaps Senator Mullen can discuss this with his Leader and see how this can be achieved.

Senator Buttimer called for the Taoiseach to come to the House. I discussed this with him during the Christmas recess. He is very anxious to avail of the opportunity to come to the House and I have asked him to update us on North-South affairs, which was always the subject of the visits to the Seanad by previous Taoisigh of all Governments. I hope this will happen as soon as possible. Senator Twomey made a point and I will pass his strong views on to the Minister after the Order of Business.