Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Some weeks ago I raised the issue of human rights in Colombia and the fact that negotiations were going on in that regard between the European Union and Colombia. We agreed to pass a motion supporting the stance on this taken by all the Irish MEPs. However, we neglected to pass that motion, No.18, through the House and therefore I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that we take No. 18 first, without debate.

In recent days, the House has had a number of discussions on children's rights and how they are being dealt with in different institutions. What gives me most grief is that we spent months in this House discussing education for persons with special educational needs. There was further discussion in the other House and many changes were proposed for implementation. Briefly, the idea was that a child with special educational needs has an entitlement - we could not get the word "rights"into the legislation - to have a full assessment done within three months. Following an involvement of professionals, namely, psychologists and teachers and including parents and every other party, an individual educational plan was to be put together for that student which would be implemented by the school and checked and assessed every six months. If the plan in question was found not to work a new plan would be put together.

Everybody thought this was the way forward and it had all-party support in both Houses. The fact that the essential parts of that Bill have not been commenced is shameful and an absolute disgrace.