Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I add my voice to those who have welcomed the fact that international markets and international commentary are much more positive about the Irish economic situation. It is important from our own perspective to keep putting that on record. One can not only talk up an economy but swiftly talk it down as well, as I discovered last week when looking at international news about Portugal where, with a few bad words, the stock market went down at a rate of knots that was not equivalent to the difficulties that country was in. It is important we recognise that.

I add my voice to Senator Quinn's request that we get back to normality as quickly as possible in the answering of correspondence and issues that we bring to the attention of various Departments and individuals. Those in most difficulty are also bearing the brunt of this particular action. I accept it is tied to industrial action and that there is a bigger picture, but I see the real consequences for people who are unable to get serious problems solved or even to get answers.

There will soon be legislation on head shops. We should ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, perhaps in the context of that discussion on dealing with the illegal drugs scene, to look at providing more drug sniffer dogs, either for Customs and Excise or the Garda. At present, our entire complement of drug sniffer dogs is between 12 and 20 and is more likely closer to 12 than 20. There are regions in England where each town would have such numbers. It is an effective way of detecting drugs.

Under the Arts Act 2003, a sub-committee on arts and education was formed and a report commissioned. The report, to my knowledge, has been completed for a number of years and has never been published. Is it possible to find out from the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the current status of the arts in education report of the sub-committee set up under the Arts Act 2003?