Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I was unaware of the comments of the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin. I have not read them but I assure the House that there is no threat to minority faith schools from the Government. The issue will be dealt with by the Minister for Education and Skills in early course when he announces his policy on the patronage of schools. The matter can be addressed at that stage. As the House is aware, the Minister for Education and Skills has been in the House on several occasions to deal with legislation. I have agreed with the Minister that he will come in on 19 April and we can hold a debate on a wide range of issues in education which Members have asked for in the House in recent months.

Senator Bacik commented on Syria. What we are witnessing on our television screens from Syria is absolutely appalling. Ireland has been working intensively with the EU, the UN, the Arab League and other partners in the international community through a series of robust economic, political and diplomatic measures to compel the Syrian regime to cease its appalling and unacceptable attacks on the Syrian people. These attempts will continue. Everyone is appalled at what we see occurring in Syria at present.

Senator Crown raised the issue of the proposed national children's hospital. I wish to restate that the Government is totally committed to the national children's hospital. The review is under way. Let us wait for the review to finish. I reaffirm the Government's commitment to the national children's hospital to be delivered in the earliest possible time, something every Member seeks.

Senators D'Arcy and Conway and others commented on the referendum. Senator D'Arcy put forward his view that the referendum should be held in May and I am sure he will relay this to the Government. The Government has not decided on a date as of yet. Senators O'Donovan and Burke raised the matter of the Ian Bailey case. We all agree that many issues remain to be addressed as a result of the case and I am sure the Minister, Deputy Shatter, will address these in early course.

Senator Whelan raised the problem of credit for small businesses. We all agree with him that there is a need for more credit for small businesses and for the banks to lend to small businesses. He will have an ideal opportunity to put the case to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and to ask him questions in this regard when we debate the issue immediately after the Order of Business. I am sure there will be a robust debate and questions.

Senator Norris proposed an amendment to the Order of Business suggesting that we should discuss No. 1. That motion will be dealt with by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and it will return to the House for discussion after the committee has considered it. With this in mind, I do not accept the amendment to the Order of Business.

Senators Keane and Coghlan and others raised the issue of the promissory notes. The Government has identified the promissory notes arrangement put in place by the previous Government as an expensive arrangement for the taxpayer. It is in negotiations with the troika to find a cheaper and alternative arrangement. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, is closest to the negotiations. He stated last week that we are making progress but it is a medium-term process. We have set out our negotiating position and are currently working through the technicalities with the troika. We all know that these type of negotiations cannot be acted upon speedily. It takes time to negotiate such measures.

Senator Cullinane referred to using the Irish language. Tomorrow is the beginning of Seachtain na Gaeilge and I am sure we will encourage its use. As I mentioned last week, we are not having a day of Irish per se in the House, but we would encourage people who can speak the language to do so at every possible opportunity, including tomorrow in particular.