Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I join Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, Regan, Coghlan, Ó Murchú, O'Malley, Buttimer, Callely and Ó Domhnaill in wishing the Taoiseach, the British Prime Minister, the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and all party leaders well in the talks in Northern Ireland. We must stay extremely positive in this regard, as we have come a long way. There is a huge responsibility on all political parties taking part in the talks. Peace is precious. We have achieved so much since the Good Friday Agreement, in particular, and the people were given their voice, both North and South, in a referendum. The seriousness of the matter was highlighted when the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister arrived at the talks yesterday. I am sure people around the world said this would not have been possible 20 years ago but, thankfully, it has been brought to the stage it is now at. The most experienced parliamentarians are leading parties in Northern Ireland and they have given their lives to arriving at a resolution of the issues involved. We all pray that a positive solution will be reached in the coming days.

Senators Fitzgerald, O'Toole, Alex White, Boyle, John Paul Phelan and Buttimer called for a debate on special educational needs, the requirements of schools relating to teacher panels and other issues. I met the Minister for Education and Science last Thursday evening and he is prepared to come to the House not once but twice to address different issues that have been brought to my attention on the Order of Business. I will try to agree that date in the diary and inform the House later in the week.

Senators O'Toole, Norris, Boyle, Wilson, Buttimer, Cummins, Feeney and Glynn referred to an all-party motion on "head shops". I will accept the motion proposed by Senator O'Toole and, in reply to Senator Norris, will do my utmost to include it in next week's business. Senator Glynn and I, with the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Curran, attended the national regional drugs task force legal highs conference in the Mullingar Park Hotel this morning. There was not even standing room available with many young people present representing organisations dealing with the challenges posed by and the scourge of drugs. Three television crews covered the event, with numerous radio stations. There was huge interest among the national and regional print media. We must give the lead. I congratulate Senator Wilson who brought the issue to may attention a few months ago following difficulties he had experienced with constituents.

The Minister of State gave his full commitment to address the activities of "head shops" and substances presented as legal highs. He stated his concerns about:

substances represented as being legal highs and herbal highs centre on the potential health hazards arising from the use of these products and the possibility that their use may act as a gateway to the use of illicit drugs. I also have serious concern, in the light of the banning of a number of substances and groups of substances in the UK last December, about the possibility of Ireland becoming a dumping ground now for some of these products.

I will be in touch with the Minister of State later. He has been supportive of the House and there will be time in his diary to debate this issue next week when Members on all sides will be able to give him the benefit of their experience.

Those who have been associated with the medical profession all their lives have a huge amount to contribute. It is a serious challenge to the Government. I do not accept that young people can be offered these substances, even at 4 a.m., having attended night clubs and chippers late at night. It is absolutely disgraceful. Parents are being driven to breaking point when their young boys and girls come home at 4.30 a.m. and do not know where they are. It is as simple and as dangerous as that. Employers are also concerned, particularly on Monday mornings, about their workforce. Only a minute element of the workforce are affected but we must nip this problem in the bud and legislate in the strongest terms regarding how these shops can continue under licence.

Senator Regan raised issues relating to NAMA and the notification by the Government to the European Union regarding the agency on 23 December 2009. The valuation of properties is ongoing and being discussed at all levels of government and the property market. The Government, the banks and everyone else concerned with NAMA must be realistic. No more than a fair price must be set to be paid by the agency which is Government funded and backed and through which we have a massive responsibility to the taxpayer as legislators. I will do everything I can to update the House from time to time and to have a debate on how the agency is progressing. I will have no difficulty with such requests from Senators.

Senators O'Sullivan, Bacik, O'Malley and Ó Brolcháin congratulated Dublin City Council on the great success of the Dublinbikes campaign. The availability of bicycles means people can make progress in tough traffic conditions. It is an innovative scheme and everyone should be congratulated. It has been an outstanding success and I join colleagues in offering my support. I thank Senator O'Sullivan for highlighting the scheme in the House.

Senator Hanafin referred to the Privacy Bill 2009 which is on the Order Paper to be taken this session. Last Sunday I read with keen interest the deliberations of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism last week regarding the pain and suffering he and his family had to go through. As legislators, we have a duty to ensure this carry-on, or conduct, is not allowed to continue.

Senator Coghlan called for a debate and an update on incineration. I have no difficulty allowing time for such a debate and the Minister will be very forthcoming in coming to the House to update it. Senators Bacik and O'Malley referred to the university sector, Peter Sutherland's statement and concerns for university funding in the future. I have no difficulty arranging for the Minister to come to the House to debate this issue.

Senator John Paul Phelan referred to pensions for farmers. I understand his concerns in this regard but I am reliably informed that 87 people in the farming community were refused the pension about which the Senator inquired. If the Senator needs further information, I would be only too pleased to help him in making further inquiries in this regard. Senator John Paul Phelan also raised the issue of doctors' payments and doctors making returns to the Revenue Commissioners. I am not aware of this matter but I will certainly make inquiries.

Senator Cummins raised the fair deal scheme, which has been well received. It is a help to some families, although not all families will avail of it. The middle class, in particular, will not become the new poor because a parent must be placed in a nursing home. The care and attention people get in our nursing homes is of the highest standard. It is something of which I am very proud when visiting nursing homes from time to time. I do not want families to be under pressure because their applications have not been considered and decisions have not been made. I will raise this issue with the Minister after the Order of Business with a strong reference to the situation in the Waterford area which Senator Cummins outlined to the House.

I could not agree with Senator Quinn more in regard to the value of Ireland as a brand name. I refer to St. Patrick's Day and Irish music and song. Very few countries can equal the brand name of Ireland and everything for which Ireland stands.

This side of the House has no intention of taking the three seats from National University of Ireland colleagues. We will do everything we possibly can to ensure that continues to be the case.