Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Mullen. He made a point about the importance of the role of the Seanad. Once again, the importance of it became clear yesterday afternoon when we had a very fine discussion on Committee Stage on the Local Government (Charges) Bill. Many fine suggestions were made and it demonstrated to me once again the importance of the Seanad and how important it is that we try to ensure we have ongoing debate on the reform of the Seanad. While we may have put the issue to bed and said there will be reform, we owe it to ourselves to have an ongoing discussion on how best we can change what is already in place in light of the results of the local elections.

We also had a debate yesterday during Private Members' time on how we would reverse the rate of unemployment. The debate focused on what FÁS can do and the co-ordination of the three Departments. I would like to keep that issue on the agenda because many people still do not know about the courses available at post-leaving certificate level and back to education programmes. For us to debate that regularly would help to keep it in the minds of people that there are opportunities coming on stream, and we need to ensure that gets into the public arena.

I know the Leader has a heavy agenda, but perhaps when we come back early in September he will put the matter on the agenda again so we can have an ongoing debate on how best we can improve the situation of the unemployed and provide opportunities for those who are out of work.