Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Martin McAleese's suggestions and would welcome suggestions for future innovations. He has outlined the innovations that we have had to date. Of course, I would welcome suggestions for future innovations in the House within Standing Orders. I thank the Senator for his remarks in that regard.

Senator Rónán Mullen dealt with the referendum, but he also commented on the need for reform in the legal system and other areas and asked for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House. I imagine we will have ample opportunity to discuss the items he raised on the Order of Business today.

We all join Senator Jim D'Arcy in congratulating the former President, Mrs. Mary McAleese, on becoming chair of the new EU body on higher education. I note the Senator's comments on language skills which were echoed by Senator Deirdre Clune. The Minister for Education and Skills will be here to discuss such matters on 16 October and there will be an opportunity for Members to debate the issues raised at that point.

I welcome Senator Thomas Byrne's offer of help in dealing with the health system and the overruns in the health budget.

It is a bit rich coming from a Senator whose party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, presided as Minister over budget overruns of €638 million and spent €14 million on consultants' reports which gathered dust in the Department for many years afterwards. That type of help is not welcome from the Senator.