Eamonn Coghlan (Independent)

Like my colleagues I also wish our US friends a happy 4 July. Having spent 20 years in the United States, I remember this day very well with wonderful barbecues with a few soft drinks to go along with them and wonderful sunshine. I wonder whether the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government can do something about our 4 July here in Ireland, put a cover over the country and give us a little heat.

This morning, we heard about 38% youth unemployment and a €1 billion overspend in the health budget. We also heard about sick pay issues, which means sick people are out there. We also heard the maths level in Ireland has reduced dramatically, but the Minister for Education and Skills has indicated the possibility of a 25% bonus for those pursuing higher level maths to try to boost the overall ability of students here. Yesterday, I heard on the radio the chief executive officer of the Gaelic Players Association speak about his and sports people's frustrations with regard to sport, and I would rather say physical education, being taken seriously in schools, particularly secondary schools. I hope in the coming months an announcement will be made on the points for life initiative I brought to the Seanad and something will begin at primary school level. I wish to identify the frustrations expressed. In Northern Ireland, physical education is taken very seriously and physical education A level grades can go towards pursuing a career in sports management, sports marketing and physical education. When we consider health and unemployment in Ireland, I have no doubt if the Government and the people of Ireland are serious about the pride and morale sport gives to the country, we must nip in the bud physical education not being taken seriously and I call on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Education and Skills, who I understand has been working on making it a points programme in secondary school, to take action now and not merely speak about it. Will the Leader identify the status of the negotiations on this? If we are waiting for five or ten years for reform to take place in the Department of Education and Skills it will be too late. If we can implement this immediately, our health budget will decrease and the physical fitness level of the youth of Ireland will increase.