Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Some years ago a Japanese businessman said to me that if the Japanese had a brand like St. Patrick's Day, they would use it well. I say this to highlight the value of a brand. Last week Senator O'Toole referred to the importance of the National University of Ireland brand which I believe must be maintained in some way. I am sure the Minister has every intention of doing this and recognises that something must be done in this regard, even though, as we know, he is taking steps to abolish the NUI. We must have the debate in the House because this is where it should take place, given that there is a mention of the NUI in the Constitution in regard to the number of seats allocated to it which I know the Minister will have taken into account. I am sure he would welcome such a debate because I know his intention is not to damage something as valuable as the NUI brand.

A point I often repeat concerns the giving of presumed consent for organ donation. We discussed a Bill in the House but the debate has been adjourned. For 12 months the Minister has been carrying out a public opinion investigation into what is the right way to proceed. Last week the Welsh Assembly announced its intention to introduce legislation on the issue of presumed consent for organ donation. The words used were that it was "a scandal" that so many people had to die while waiting for an organ donation when so many people were willing to donate their organs. We need to have such legislation put through because there are not enough organ donations.

The state of France has jointly developed a scheme with the Alzheimer's association to provide 14 hours training for family members and relatives of persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It is clearly a win-win. The matter is worthy of consideration in this country because such a scheme would reduce the cost to the State in the long term and also benefit the families involved.