Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I raised last week the issue of cross-Border social welfare fraud. It is an ongoing issue and it is happening again this week in County Donegal. I would like an update from the Leader on when we will have a debate on that issue — I hope it will be before the St. Patrick's Day recess.

I referred here before the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, IPAV, which continues to refuse and defer applications from practising auctioneers with years of experience and university qualifications in their professions, while other applicants seem to obtain approval. It is a selective process. I call for a debate on the licensing of auctioneers and on this body. While many reputable firms are associated with the body, there are questions to be asked about it. I ask the Leader when the legislation on the establishment of a regulatory authority to bring more transparency to this sector will come to the House. It is a scandal and a disgrace that this body is deferring applications and giving no reason. It is a scandal and a disgrace. The IPAV has serious questions to answer. At a time when the construction sector is in difficulties, it should be opening its doors to new members instead of closing them. The members, two in Donegal of whom I referred, do not want membership of this organisation now because they have no faith in it.

Ireland is synonymous with sporting success. However, an international survey recently showed that while 52% of the population of Finland had spent at least 30 minutes exercising in the previous week, with 46% in Australia and 39% in Canada, the comparable figure in Ireland was 26%, or roughly one in four of the population. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism should come to the House to discuss the sports capital programme for 2009.