Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I commend the Senators who congratulated the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on her decision to ban certain legal substances. I go along with that and I hope that ultimately the premises selling them will be closed down because that is the wish of the majority of people in the country.

Some time ago, I raised the issue of private cosmetic clinics. I am not calling for a debate on this issue but surgeons fly into the country to perform operations and then fly out again after them. There is no follow-up. The Minister has spoken about regulating how these clinics operate. I am not calling for a debate but will the Leader convey the concern of the public about how these clinics operate? It is important we keep that on the agenda.

I was delighted to hear the comments by Members on both sides on the speech by Archbishop Martin, who must be supported. Perhaps we should have a debate on the role of the church and the State in education because they are all connected. That would be a welcome discussion which would include child protection because there are still people who are in denial.

I support what Senator Mullen said in regard to the mathematics paper. Now more than ever we must have a debate on that issue because many students are making up their minds whether they will take the honours or the pass paper. I know it will be not introduced this year but the debate should start now on our plans for, and the decisions to be made, in 2012.