Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Senator Mark Daly was correct to say that there are times when we should be willing to disagree with our friends. He was speaking in the context of Palestine. That is also true in the context of the decision of the state of Georgia to go ahead with the execution of Troy Davis. I have not heard whether there has been any positive development in that story. It is remarkable that the country which most of us would regard as the leader of the free world sees fit to take life in the context of applying the death penalty. Amnesty International's US branch has pointed to the many doubts about Mr. Davis's guilt. It says that to allow a man to be sent to death in this circumstance is an outrageous affront to justice. We need to be clear that capital punishment is not just wrong when there are doubts about the innocence or guilt of the person who is sentenced to death. It is wrong per se. It is wrong in itself.

We have often discussed the issue in this House. The current controversy over Troy Davis affords us the opportunity in this House to bring forward an all-party motion on the subject. We would do well to do so in early course.

There have been many comments in these Houses in recent days on the ongoing issue of education. It will come as no surprise to people to hear that maths is the most popular subject for grinds at second level and that Irish is also popular in that regard. The fact that close to half of leaving certificate students are taking grinds at second level raises serious questions about the meaning of free education. I will conclude on this point. We must have a debate about that.

It points to the vital importance of primary school and stable family structures because if children do not attend primary and secondary school in a situation where they can compete equally and if they do not have the family environment and the quality of second level education that would allow them to progress without the need for grinds then there is not real equality in this country as people progress to third level. This is an important and troubling subject which I hope we can discuss soon.