Ivana Bacik (Independent)

Senators have raised a range of issues and I will try to reply to them to the best of my ability.

Senator Darragh O'Brien requested that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, meet the residents of Priory Hall. I will pass on the Senator's request to the Leader and ask him to communicate with the Minister on it. This matter has been raised in the House on a number of occasions.

The Senator also requested that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, come before the House to discuss the speeches he made in Germany. It is fair to say the Government has, through negotiation, obtained terms in respect of the bailout that are more favourable than those originally agreed. In the context of this matter, Senator Martin Conway sought clarification on the corporation tax rate, on which the Government has made it clear that it is not for turning. As far as the Government is concerned, Ireland's corporation tax rate is non-negotiable. That is the correct stance for which I am sure there is all-party support.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also requested that the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, come before the House for a general debate on education. The Leader has indicated that the Minister will be in the House next week and the following week for the debate on the Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 when some of the issues relating to education may be raised with him.