Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Senators Bacik, White and Jim D'Arcy spoke about DEIS schools. The Minister for Education and Skills has met with school principals, teachers and parents to hear their concerns and clarify the position following the changes announced in the budget. Following this engagement, he has asked his Department to produce a report on DEIS band 1 and 2 schools which currently have posts under older schemes in the context of the staffing and allocations due to issue to all schools in the coming weeks. The report will set out the factual position on staffing in these schools for September 2012, taking into account the impact of demographic changes. The Minister looks forward to receiving the report and continuing the process of engagement with schools on the impact of these measures. We would all agree with that.

Senator Healy Eames and others asked for a debate with the Minister on the issue of smaller schools once the value for money report is published in February. Schools are an important part of the fabric of our communities and it is important that we debate their role.

I join Senator Barrett in expressing deepest sympathy with Deputy Ross on the death of his father, former Senator John Ross, who served in this House from 1961 to 1965. I am sure we will have an opportunity to commemorate the late Mr. Ross.

I understand the Milliman report is available from the Oireachtas Library but I will confirm that it is in circulation. Senators Coghlan and Harte spoke about the tenth edition of Lonely Planet's Ireland Travel Guide. We must be optimistic in this regard. Tourism numbers increased by 7% last year and I am confident that numbers can continue to increase. Work is being done on the proposed gathering and communities throughout the country are striving to promote home holidays. We have a lot to offer and we should be singing our praises rather than talking ourselves down. Let us continue to play a positive role in this House. There is too much pessimism regarding tourism.

I concur with Senator Donovan regarding aquaculture. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine spoke passionately about this issue when he was previously in the House and he is due to meet us again in the coming month. There is tremendous job creation potential in this area and Senators would be pushing an open door with the Minister in this regard. I commend him on negotiating a good deal for Irish fisherman in Europe.

Senators John Kelly, Ó Murchú, Mullins and Colm Burke spoke about the problems with the fair deal scheme and delays by the HSE in approving applications, which is in turn tying up acute beds in hospitals. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health.

Senator Reilly referred to the health service plan and its implications for counties Cavan and Monaghan. She also asked for more time to be allocated to the debate on suicide. I do not think we will be able to allow additional time today but, if the Minister of State at the Department of Health is agreeable, perhaps we can resume the debate next week. A considerable number of Senators wish to speak on the debate.

Senator Mooney spoke about the situation obtaining in Hungary and the media landscape in Ireland. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has agreed to discuss the media with the House. He has not yet confirmed a date but we will pursue the matter with him.

Senator Moloney asked for clarification on the penalty points applying in respect of windscreens. I will raise the matter and I hope that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will attend the House at an early opportunity.

Senator Quinn spoke about the success of Irish agriculture and referred in particular to infant formula. This is a matter which the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine mentioned when he was last in the House. Our market share in infant formula is one in seven globally and one in five in Asia. This is the type of positive story that we should be promoting. There are opportunities in this area when milk quotas are removed. The growth in exports to Brazil is also to be welcomed. We are only at the tip of the iceberg, however, and we will have to further expand our trade to countries like Brazil, India, China and Russia.

Senator Sheahan spoke about road safety. All of us welcome the news that the number of road deaths last year was only 185. This is 185 deaths too many but it is a massive improvement over previous years. The Senator rightly pointed out that 48 pedestrians died and reminded us of the need to bear in mind the need for high visibility jackets when walking along country roads. The large number of cyclists who do not have lights of any description on their bicycles clearly present a danger. We must all pay as much attention as possible to road safety with a view to further reducing the number of road traffic fatalities. In the case of each of the 185 deaths in 2011 a grieving family has been left behind. Our hearts go out to all of them, especially the families of those who passed away in the large number of accidents over the Christmas period.

Senator Walsh called for a debate on the National Asset Management Agency. As he noted, NAMA's purpose is to secure the best possible outcome for taxpayers. It also needs to stimulate economic development. Perhaps we will be able to have the Minister for Finance come before the House to discuss this issue.

Senator Keane raised the issue of physical education and the promotion of physical fitness in schools. She also asked whether physical education should be an examination subject for points. This worthwhile idea should be considered by the Minister for Education and Skills in light of the problems we are experiencing with obesity, diabetes and so forth. Making physical education an examination subject would focus minds on the issue of physical fitness. We can raise this matter with the Minister who will come before the House to deal with legislation in the next month or two. I hope he will also come before us for a general debate on education.