Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames called for a debate on education, with particular reference to special educational needs. Senators John Crown, Catherine Noone, Cáit Keane and others also raised points on education. The Minister for Education and Skills will be in the House on Tuesday, 8 November for a debate on junior certificate reform, in particular, and curricular reform generally, and there will be an opportunity to raise many of the points Members have mentioned.

Senator Mooney mentioned the cutbacks in the areas of justice and defence. Yes, there will be cuts; many of them have been outlined, while others are still to come. There will be cuts in practically all Departments, which will be outlined in the next number of weeks. It is unfortunately the case that we have to have these cuts. We need to trim our sails to run the economy in a proper way, and that is what the Government is intent on doing. Unfortunately, this will have economic implications for communities in which military barracks, courthouses and so on close. However, the Government is committed to having balanced budgets in the future and running the economy as it should be run.

I am informed that the Chief Whip recently met representatives of RTE and TG4 with a view to asking them to increase their coverage of the Oireachtas. RTE has agreed to do so, and the Chief Whip will be pursuing the matter further with the broadcasters soon. I will keep the House informed of any information as it comes to hand.

I was going to mention the issue of Central European Time, which was raised by Senator Mullins. This will be discussed by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I understand that when the Minister, Deputy Shatter, took a Topical Issues debate on this matter in the Dáil yesterday, he made it clear that there were no immediate plans to change the current arrangements. The Senator will be forwarded his comments. However, the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will be seeking submissions on the matter in November.

Senator Sheahan spoke about NAMA and also made some important points about the review of rates. We will certainly ask the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss NAMA. A number of other Members, including Senator Daly, spoke on that point also. I have already spoken about questions to the Minister. Senator O'Keeffe called for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the House. He is due to do so in the next couple of weeks. The Senator may raise the question of votes for people who have emigrated at that stage.

Senator Coghlan's wise words about the eurozone document were "Festina lente". We will have time to digest this document and have a debate on it. Senator Landy made an interesting point about the €700 million Anglo Irish Bank bond, saying it would be paid from the bank's own resources owing to the sale of assets. The Senator also called for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to sign the commencement order for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. I will certainly take up that matter with the Minister; I cannot see why the Act has not been put into law. I was one of the first Members to raise the issue of puppy farms eight or nine years ago in the House. I will take up the matter with the Minister and update the Senator on it.

I dealt with a number of the points made by Senator Noone. I am glad she did not address her comments in Italian as I would not have been able to answer her.