Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I have just come from a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality where people from the gay, lesbian and transsexual community were making submissions. It would be the wish of all to see homophobia eliminated from society. It probably never will be eliminated but the best way of ensuring that it is kept at a minimum is to educate people. It is all about education. I call on the Acting Leader to prevail on the Minister for Education and Skills, even in these difficult times, to provide funding for an national educational programme in all schools so that the young little people who are growing up in this society will not suffer from homophobia and will play an active part in mutual respect. We have a duty to all elements in society to ensure that education is provided and is done properly.

I ask the Acting Leader if she could ascertain a date when this country will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. I would suggest that this ground-breaking ratification should happen during the six months of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union, between January and June of next year. This society and this country can lead the way by ratifying this very important convention. I ask the Acting Leader to see what can be done to get a date so that we can all work towards it.