Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

-----dealing with the concerns teachers, parents and others expressed on DEIS schools. It was a good day's work. While it did not satisfy everybody, a number of people have been satisfied as a result of the decision the Minister took following the review.

Senators Darragh O'Brien, Moran, Crown and others raised the issue of waiting times in children's hospitals. Obviously, it shows the need for a national children's hospital to be built as soon as possible. I will bring the concerns of Members about waiting times at the children's hospital to the attention of the Minister.

I will invite the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to the House and we will see whether he will come to discuss the sale of State assets. Senator Bacik and many other Senators referred to the proposed constitutional convention which will deal with many important issues. I understand the question of the future of the Seanad is not included in the constitutional convention. It was decided under the programme for Government that the matter of whether the Seanad will continue will be put to the people for decision and it will not be part of the constitutional convention.

Senator Mac Conghail proposed an amendment to the Order of Business on Standing Order 18. This relates to the question of the prayer in the House and the related decision made by the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I have no problem whatsoever holding a debate on it and I will order it for tomorrow immediately after the final item on the agenda. When I organise the debate I hope there will be sufficient Members present. On numerous occasions I have heard a clamour from many sides of the House from people seeking debates, especially on health matters, but subsequently there were insufficient Members available. Only eight or ten people were in the Chamber following a call by 20 or 30 people for debates on various subjects. Let us be fair about it. It is all very well shouting on the Order of Business but some people vanish after asking a question and they are not here when the Minister comes to the House. Let us play ball properly. When people call for debates, let them be here when the debate is granted. We will have a debate on the issue raised tomorrow.

Senators Mullen and Mullins referred to the Occupy Dame Street movement. I imagine the law will be upheld and that it is being upheld but I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister. Senators Sheahan and Mullins raised the issue of sick pay proposals, a matter raised by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien yesterday. This matter was discussed at length during the passage of the Social Welfare Bill while the Minister was here after Christmas. The Minister for Social Protection hosted a consultation on the issue of statutory sick leave on Monday last. The forum heard from speakers from the United Kingdom and the OECD. I realise the response from IBEC and ISME has been negative, claiming that such a move would cost jobs and run counter to Government strategy on job creation. No decision has been made by Government on this issue. If there is a need for the Minister to come to the House to discuss it again we will have her in the House. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, will be here too and the matter can be raised with him when he is discussing the jobs plan on 6 March. I assure the House that there will be ample opportunities for Members to raise this issue with both Ministers.

Senators Leyden, Ó Clochartaigh and MacSharry made points about rural schools. Some of them made charges to the effect that the reduction of capitation grants will hit rural schools more than urban schools.