Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senator Bacik asked about the report on paid paternity leave. This issue can be raised with the Minister for Social Protection, who will be in the House for the next four or five hours; perhaps it can be raised during the debate on that Bill.

Senator Mullen asked about the teaching of modern languages in primary schools. This was a pilot scheme and it is unfortunate that due to cutbacks it must be curtailed. We were not in a position to extend the pilot scheme to other schools but cuts must be made and they hit some areas where people would prefer them not to but we must have measures to bring the public finances back on to a proper footing and that is what the Government intends to have.

Senators Mullins and Noonan asked about lending to small businesses. Credit is the lifeblood of small business and the Government is doing everything possible to ensure credit will flow to small businesses and has instituted a number of plans to ensure this will happen in the future.