Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I would like to add my voice to the long time lone voice of Senator Walsh on the issue of tribunals. There is little doubt that there is a serious need for debate on these tribunals. There have been concerns about the fairness, cost and inefficiency of them, so I agree with the need for a debate.

Senator Butler made a point about good news. There is a danger we will talk ourselves into a bigger recession by always focusing on the bad news. There is much good news out there, so let us make sure that we use it. Last night's O2 Ability Awards was a reminder of how many companies are doing well by focusing on people's other abilities. They do not use the word "disability" at all; instead they use the word "ability". Right around the country, there are many companies and public bodies that are using this as an opportunity to do a better job.

I believe the Chinese word for "crisis" is the same as the word for "opportunity". We have a crisis, but we also have opportunities. We hear today that we will need 1,000 extra teachers. Where will we get the money for those teachers? Let us make sure we get them. The chief executive of Hewlett Packard was interviewed on radio at the announcement of 60 new jobs in Leixlip about one month ago, and he said there would be a requirement for these people to have a second language. The reporter then said that no Irish need therefore apply. Eight per cent of Irish students have a second language, compared to 60% in the rest of Europe. That is an opportunity for us. We must invest in literacy, but we must also invest in other languages. This requires us to put our heart and soul behind that.

We were fortunate enough in our family to send our five children for one school term abroad before they were 14. We were told that if a language is learned before the age of 14, it can be spoken without an accent. Our two daughters fell in love at the age of 14 with Frenchmen, and are now married to Frenchmen.