Ivana Bacik (Independent)

Senator Conway raised the issue of the meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality with the NGOs, on which we have spoken. He also raised the issue of the need for a national education programme. The Ministers, Deputies Quinn and Deputy Fitzgerald, have today launched a forum on bullying in particular and a national education programme dealing with that. Therefore, that is in hand.

Senator Conway also raised the issue of a date for Ireland to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has been dealing with the mental capacity Bill, which we have recommended, as the Senator will know, should be renamed "the legal capacity Bill". The passing of that legislation is an important part of the process necessary for us to ratify the UN convention.

Senator Quinn raised the issue of a very important anniversary, that of the 90th Anniversary of the establishment of the 1922 Seanad on 11 December this year, which we should absolutely mark in this House. I will speak with the Leader about that. It is an excellent idea. I am sure there will be cross-party support in the House for commemorating it. This year is also the 90th anniversary of the 1922 Free State Constitution. That, again, is something that is often overlooked but something which is well worth a commemoration on a national level. I thank the Senator for raising that issue and it is a very important point.

Senator Cullinane, who I am aware is attending a committee, called for a debate on the growth agenda, which I have said we will seek to have after the referendum, although anyone who participates in the debate on the stability treaty this afternoon will no doubt address the issue of growth. It is very clear that there can be no growth without stability and this treaty and referendum seek to promote stability in Ireland and keep us on the steady path we are on.

Senator Cullinane also raised the issue of the sale of State assets. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, made it very clear this morning that no strategically important assets are to be sold. That is also set out in the programme for Government.

Senator Crown dealt with the issue of the rehiring of public sector staff. I have more information on that, which has been provided now. Clear criteria have been set out. Staff should not be retained beyond retirement age - that is the general policy of Government. Any re-engagement should be kept as limited as possible and should be for a restricted period, and abatement of pension is in place to ensure that where a public servant pensioner is rehired, their pension is reduced accordingly to ensure they can never earn more than they would have if they had continued working. There were some particular rehirings across different Departments. For example, 254 teachers were re-employed in the Department of Education and Science until the summer holidays to ensure continuity for students who are facing important examinations at secondary level. I will not go through the list. Clear rationales have been provided for the particular rehirings.