Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator Bacik discussed the treatment of unaccompanied minors under the care of the HSE. Last week, I stated that we would debate this matter.

Senator Callely called for a debate on the economy. This can take place during the debate on the Finance Bill in the last week in February. The Senator has always championed the causes of older people, including the provision of home care packages, the fair deal scheme and safeguards to ensure their effective care. I will have no difficulty in arranging a debate on all of the serious proposals he made.

Senators Ormonde, Harris and Burke raised the issue of guidelines for those involved in public life, the training necessary and the experience required. This is most important for anyone being considered for promotion to serve as a public representative. I fully share their sentiments. We have heard words of wisdom from Senators, including those in the Independent ranks, who have served their country and parties. We should discuss this matter once every year, as it would be greatly help new and younger Members of the Dáil and Seanad.

Senator Quinn raised an old chestnut of his. He called for a provision to ensure an extra hour of daylight in the evening. To the best of my recollection, this was tried previously but the arrangement was reversed quickly because at the time a large number of students were waiting at bus stops from 7 a.m. and it was dark up to 9 a.m. The view was that while it would be okay for secondary school students aged 14, 15 or 16 years to have to wait in the dark at bus stops in rural Ireland, there was a safety concern about primary school students having to wait in the dark at bus stops from 8.30 a.m. onwards and so the provision was reversed. However, I will have no difficulty in allowing the issue to be reconsidered. We will check to see why the original provision was reversed.