Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Ba bhreá liom beannachtaí na hathbhliana a ghuí ar an Chathaoirleach agus ar mo chomhghleacaithe go léir anseo. I thank the Leader for setting out with determination to arrange for discussions on a number of topics. I acknowledge his efforts in setting dates for debates that have been requested by Senators. I thank him for being so helpful. I look forward particularly to the debate on standards in the media. We have made progress with the conduct of debates in this House. It is now possible to ask questions and receive answers from Ministers. It strikes me that this type of approach will lend itself particularly to the debate on the media. We should continue to explore how we can get the best possible exchange between the Government and the Seanad on some of the issues that need to be teased out.

I want to support what Senator Bacik said about including the issue of adoption in our debate on children's rights. I have been approached by a number of people who are interested in that matter. It is important that we debate it.

The issue of education is also important. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has come to this House on a number of occasions. There are continuing developments in this area. Over the Christmas period, I was quite struck by the number of people who contacted me to express concern about the change in guidance counsellor positions, which are to become ex-quota. This is causing a great deal of concern. I have noticed that, unusually, concern about this issue has been expressed by people who do not have a vested interest in the matter. They recognise the important pastoral and personal support role that is played by guidance counsellors. It is not just a matter of career guidance - it can be many more things than that. In fact, I was approached on Sunday evening by a lay chaplain who wanted to express his concerns about this issue.

I noted RTE's report on the issue last week. When we debate media standards, I will raise my concerns about the recurring tendency in RTE to try to create a church-State row when no such row appears to exist. I do not think the case for maintaining guidance counsellors within quota should be made on the back of some kind of attack on school chaplaincy. All of these services provide invaluable support. I felt that Emma O'Kelly's report on the matter on RTE was unhelpful. This is an important issue. We need to reflect on all the personal support mechanisms that are available to students, particularly at a time when the morale of people is being affected by so many challenges in society. I would like the issue of the provision of guidance counsellors to be revisited in early course. I hope the Minister for Education and Skills will come here soon so we can discuss the matter.