Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

This time last year, the Government appointed a national strategy group to commission a report on higher education under the chairmanship of the economist, Dr. Colin Hunt. In November, the Minister for Education and Science informed the Dáil that the report would be published by early 2010. In an Adjournment debate yesterday, I was informed by the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, that the report will not be published before the summer. It is a critical report and clarity and certainty are required where the role of our higher education institutions in developing the economy and creating and supporting jobs is concerned. It is a 20-year strategy. I urge the Leader to ask the Minister to publish the report, which is important for everyone, without further delay.

Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the Government report, Developing the Green Economy in Ireland, which was published in November and signed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coughlan, and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan? The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, must not have read the document because he criticised the Fine Gael Party for its proposals regarding the establishment of a single water authority. In the report, it is clear the Government is supportive of our idea. Progressing the report's contents would benefit every Senator and the economy and we on this side of the House would be willing to debate them.