Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The senior citizens of our country gave us the democracy we have. The men and women of 1916 really made sacrifices for Ireland. We made no such sacrifices. They placed their lives on the line so we could have freedom of speech and be in Parliament today freely expressing our views. We may not always agree with the opinions of colleagues but such is the great work of democracy. Most Members of the House have been in total agreement with the job done by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, and the Department in this regard. I have no difficulty in asking the Minister to come to the House to update Members regarding her proposals and the Bill which was welcomed so much when it came to the House.

Senator Boyle spoke on funding for Protestant schools. I said yesterday the €2.3 million involved, a small allocation, is a godsend for rural Protestant schools and we must do everything we possibly can to ensure the funding which has been in place for the past 40 years is left with these young students, especially in rural areas.

Senator McFadden spoke on the adoption of Vietnamese children and matters pertaining to the portfolio of the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. The Minister of State was in the House on two occasions. He visited Vietnam and I understand he is doing everything he can. I will pass on the Senator's strong views to him because the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam is in our country now. I shall try to get an update for the House in respect of this matter and report directly to the Senator.