Ivana Bacik (Independent)

-----who will be in the House directly after the Order of Business this morning. Also, the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, when in the House yesterday gave a clear response to Senator O'Brien and others, including Senators from the Labour Party, on how the proposed sale of a minority stake in the ESB is to be dealt with.

Senator O'Brien also raised the issue of the pensions levy which was, as the Senator will be aware, introduced to fund the jobs initiative. I disagree with the Senator's description of it as a raid on pensions. The reality is that it was the most effective way to fund and resource the critical task of trying to generate jobs. There has already been success in this regard. I disagree with the Senator's remarks in that regard.

I have already responded to Senator Healy Eames in regard to having the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, come to the House. I agree we should have him come into this House. I am grateful to Senator Barrett for raising the concerning figures this morning in regard to the falling in the international rankings of our universities. It is worrying to see Trinity and UCD fall out of the top 100 universities and to see other universities fall below their previous rankings. As far as I am aware NUI Maynooth is the only university that bucked the trend. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has pointed out that these international ranking scales are not perhaps the only factor in terms of bringing in international students and funding for research, which is clearly true. However, I agree with Senator Barrett on the need to divert money back into education and the classrooms so that the rankings can improve. Senator Barrett and I know from Trinity that the staff-student ratio is a huge issue. Student numbers are increasing and there has been a freeze on recruiting new staff. It would be useful to invite the Minister for Education and Skills to the House to debate this issue. The Minister will be in the House during the next couple of weeks and we may try to have a debate then on higher education funding. Senator Barrett can at that point raise the point about abolition of the HEA, which is perhaps a radical proposal. We need to look at all of these issues.

I have already dealt with Senators Higgins' questions. Senator MacSharry asked that the Minister for Health be asked to come to the House. I have already dealt with that issue. He also sought a debate on sports and tourism. We had a wide-ranging debate on sports on Tuesday with the Minister of State, Deputy Ring. Senator Eamonn Coghlan gave a great speech specifically about sports tourism on that occasion. I agree with Senator MacSharry's remarks in regard to the enormous value sports tourism brings to this country. However, it might be a little premature to have another debate on that topic so soon.

Senator Mullins called for a debate on suicide. I agree it would be useful to have a debate on that issue. Other Senators have also sought such a debate. There was a debate on suicide near the end of the final session of the previous Seanad and as such we would need to consider when such a debate should be timed. Senator Mary White and others have raised that issue before. It would be good to have a further debate on the issue.

I have already responded to Senator Cullinane's call for a debate on human rights issues. The Senator also spoke about the motion yesterday on voting rights for Irish citizens abroad. We had a full debate on that issue yesterday. As the Cathaoirleach said, the full two hours allocated was utilised. Senators Noone, Ó Murchú and Keane also raised the issue of a further debate on voting rights. Senator Keane sensibly proposed it might take place when the constitutional convention terms have been outlined. It is hoped that process will be under way early next year. Irish citizens abroad do have limited voting rights. Irish citizens living anywhere in the world, who are graduates of Trinity or NUI colleges, have a right to vote in the elections for the six university Senators. That is currently the only provision in that regard. We might look at that in a broader context early in the New Year.

Senator Conway raised the issue of human rights, which issue I have already responded to. The Senator specifically asked about a timeframe for mental capacity legislation. The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, appeared a few days ago before the committee on justice and told members that her officials are working on that legislation. It is proposed to be introduced early in 2012. If it is possible to do it sooner, it will be done. That is a pressing matter with which the Minister of State is dealing directly.

Senator Wilson called for the Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, to come to the House to discuss ghost estates. I gave a commitment previously that I would do so. I have already asked the Leader to follow up on that matter. The Senator also asked that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, come into the House. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, was in this House yesterday for two hours and again it might be some time before he can come back to speak about local government reform. However, I have no doubt he will do that. I am sure many Members in this House are interested in such a debate.

Senator Noone spoke about the treatment of women and toilet facilities for them. The Senator may be interested to know-----