Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I have come from the same meeting as the Senator and echo her call for a debate. She raised an important issue. One of the central issues emerging on the workings of the new body is the question of what constitutes appropriate independence. There is an understandable fear of excessive Government interference in the appointment and workings of such a body. In some quarters there is a suspicion about the appropriateness of the Oireachtas having to oversee appointments. Perhaps if people had a better understanding of the precise balance of power between the Oireachtas, the Executive and the Legislature then they might not be so worried. They might see the Oireachtas as a suitable ally to ensure independence.

It is also clear that independence from politicians is not the only type of independence that is important. Our colleague, Senator Zappone, served with great distinction with the Irish Human Rights Commission and I know people are grateful for her good service. Another person that I would single out is Professor William Binchy who has provided a unique and irreplaceable voice in articulating what I would regard as an authentic human rights vision. He was a Government appointee. Whatever mode of appointment there will be for the new body, it is possible for watchdogs of human rights to lose perspective and they do not always guarantee a full independence of mind or a full diversity and inclusiveness of vision. I will examine the legislation from that point of view. I hope that whatever we establish takes a broad and inclusive view of human rights considerations and that it does not become the preserve of particular visions that might be in the ascendent within the current establishment.

I shall comment briefly on the concern expressed this morning by my former boss, Dr. Seán McDonagh, on the particular importance of mathematics in education. It is an issue that we need to continue to debate. I heard the Minister for Education and Skills discuss it and we need to engage with him further. Yesterday, I spoke to a member of the United States Senate and it is concerned about how Europe is addressing its economic challenges, how we will guarantee our competitiveness in the long term and whether we are ready to make the sacrifices necessary in order to ensure competitiveness. It is critical that we produce students that will attain a high standard in subjects like mathematics and we need to continue to debate the matter in the House.