Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I wish to comment on the important matters raised by Senators Quinn and Crown. We are not doing enough in the area of education. With regard to the diplomatic service, last year I had the privilege of being in Georgia in eastern Europe for the local elections. I was joined by a member of the diplomatic corps, a young girl from Dublin based in Bulgaria. She was fluent in Russian because she studied in Russia for two years before joining the diplomatic corps. Another person with whom I worked in Brussels went on to learn Arabic and ended up working for the European Commission and now that person is in charge of all EU projects in Iraq. In fairness to young Irish people, they are taking on the challenge. They are studying languages and, as a result, do a great job in marketing Ireland abroad.

Similarly, there are many young people going to, working and studying in China. When I was Lord Mayor of Cork we started a joint programme between UCC and two universities in Shanghai. Now there is an exchange programme under way whereby students from UCC go out to Shanghai for 12 months and some stay on working for a period subsequently. I take on board the point the Senator made.

Having been in Georgia for the local elections brought home to me the importance of the democratic system. Although we criticise it sometimes, there are many good things in this country which, sometimes, we do not appreciate.

I wish to raise a matter related to VHI. I know the Minister for Health is coming to the House today but there has been a breach of competition rules in respect of VHI. A new hospital has opened in Cork with 75 beds which cost more than €75 million. It has four operating theatres, MRI scanners and new equipment lying idle because VHI will not agree to give cover to patients who would go there. The Mater Private Hospital has agreed to take up——