Mary Moran (Labour)

I congratulate the 56,930 junior certificate students who received their results today. As a mother and former teacher I understand the anxiety felt by the students and parents in anticipation of the results. It is great to see more students taking project maths, the schools which have piloted it at higher level, more students obtaining honours at higher level in it and the overall increase in students taking higher level subjects.

I draw attention, however, to recent research which has shown that the average under-age drinking age in this country has decreased from 16 years of age ten years ago to the frightening age of 14 in recent times. Given that students will be celebrating over the next couple of days, it is very important that we highlight the dangers of teenage drinking. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House and have a debate on teenage drinking.

I would also like to raise and other issue related to a frightening article in yesterday's Irish Independent. The acute emergency services in Louth hospital were transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which is a centre of excellence.