Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

We on this side of the House would be amenable to tabling another motion in that regard.

Senator Mac Conghail referred to the public consultation committee. We will launch it after the Order of Business in the audiovisual room. It will try to have greater contact between the body public and the Houses of the Oireachtas, in particular the Seanad. At the Senator's request, former President Mary Robinson will attend the House in November. She will be the second person to speak on human rights and other issues. We are very glad that she has acceded to the request to address the Seanad. It will be an excellent presentation.

Senators Barrett, Mullen and others referred to the reform of language teaching in the country and the recent report that was published. The Minister for Education and Skills will attend the House on 8 November and many of the valid points raised by Senators should be raised with him during that debate. He will examine the schools curriculum.

Senators Keane and Conway referred to the refurbishment of the Central Bank. As has been stated, the Minister will attend the House tomorrow and will take questions on the issue.

Senator Byrne referred to his matter on the Adjournment. The Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, will attend the House to take the matter today. If it is not his intention to be present for the matter we hope he would notify the officials and my office in order that we can notify the Minister of State not to attend. Yesterday a Minister attended the House and nobody turned up for a matter on the Adjournment. It also happened previously.

It is not acceptable to have Ministers attending the House to answer Adjournment matters that have been tabled by Members who do not turn up. It is the responsibility of Members to be here for their Adjournment matters when they table them. I ask Members to keep that in mind when they table such matters and I hope Senator Byrne will let me know whether he intends to attend the House for his Adjournment matter. He said he will not attend if the Minister, Deputy Reilly, does not respond. I hope he will have the decency to tell me what the situation is in that regard.

Senators Crown, Ó Murchú and others raised the imprisonment of Mrs. Treacy. There is a separation of powers and we cannot become involved in the decision. I totally accept the bona fides of what Members have said in this regard.

Senator Landy asked about repetition on the Order of Business and what issues people should raise. The question answers itself.

Senator Conway referred to legislation on white collar crime. I will try to ascertain for him when it is intended to bring such legislation to the House and revert to him.

A number of senators, including Senators Mullen and Daly, called for statements on the media. It was raised by Senator Susan O'Keeffe and is a matter that is worthy of debate. We will try to bring the relevant Minister to the House to have a debate at the earliest opportunity.

Senator O'Keefe also raised the question of listening to young people on curriculum reform. Her points were valid and can be raised with the Minister for Education and Skills on 8 November.

Senator MacSharry referred to the issue of senior Ministers attending the House. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, will attend the House today. The number of senior Ministers who have come to the House not alone to listen to statements from Members, but to participate in question and answer sessions and be accountable for their Departments is unprecedented. The Minister for Finance will come to the House tomorrow for a similar session. The Ministers for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht took questions during their appearance in the House, as did the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport yesterday. I do not know what Senator MacSharry is talking about in the context of senior Ministers being accountable to the House. They have been more accountable than ever before.

With regard to Senator Sheahan's question, there will be a question and answer session with the Minister for Finance tomorrow. He said he will be here and I have no reason to believe otherwise. The Senator is quite right that the credit institutions Bill is important and I will try to find out when it will be taken in the House.

Senator Mooney welcomed the increase in foreign deposits in Irish banks and I am sure we all welcome them. I agree with him regarding procedures. There was a mix up yesterday. Once spokespersons have had their say, every other Member should be allowed to contribute before the spokespersons contribute again. However, everybody had an opportunity to put a question yesterday as there was no time limit.

Senator Mullen referred to training for pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccines. That will be welcomed by communities throughout the country.

Senator Ó Murchú praised the stance of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government on the Palestinian issue, which I welcome.