Mary Moran (Labour)

I echo the sentiments raised today by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien. It is an issue I raised last week, the awful situation in which parents of persons with a disability find themselves as a result of cutbacks, with no day service provision available unless specific funding is in place. Like Senator Mary Ann O'Brien and other Senators, I live in a world with children with a disability and recognise the absolute need for funding to be able to provide adequate education and services for them.

I also spoke last week about the cut in respite care. I repeat that perhaps those who do not avail of respite or who do not have that luxury of maybe getting one night's sleep in six weeks do not fully appreciate and understand this. I again call on the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House to discuss this issue. I had not intended raising that.

I add my concerns, along with those of other colleague, about the unfortunate dreadful situation in which the Irish student trainee pilots find themselves. I note it was raised yesterday as well. I agree we should have a debate on the issue in the House. It is important to ascertain why the Irish Aviation Authority let the disagreement fester between the pilot training college and the Florida-based training provider before intervening in the 12 month dispute. Many of the families, whom we saw on the news, have remortgaged their houses, given their life savings or, in some cases, borrowed significant sums of money for their sons' education. The sums involved are astronomical.