Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope I will not have to spell out again what is the situation in that regard. Senator Ó Clochartaigh also raised the question of Older and Bolder, which was raised and answered on the Order of Business yesterday.

Senator Keane raised the question of physical education and called for a coherent policy. I understand it will be an optional subject in the junior certificate in a couple of years. I agree we should have a debate on that very important area.

Senator Mooney spoke in regard to the deliberations of the joint agriculture committee, to which the Minister gave information yesterday. I assure him this House will be kept fully informed on the matter. I agree with him that the sooner it is solved, the better it will be for the food sector, in particular the beef sector.

Senator Ó Domhnaill referred to means testing in the context of what the Minister for Education and Skills is bringing to Cabinet. Obviously, he is more informed than everybody else on that subject. I am not aware of what the Minister is bringing to Cabinet on that but, obviously, the Senator has other means of finding out.

Senator White raised the role of senior civil servants in suppressing inquiries and so on. It is up to each Minister to run his Department and to be strong enough, if senior civil servants are giving him information which he does not agree with. At the end of the day, the buck stops on his or her desk, whoever that may be. That should be the way. If we have Ministers who have not been strong enough, it is their responsibility.

With regard to the Magdalen laundries report, Senator Colm Burke suggested that proper procedures should be put in place so something like this never happens again. I believe that would be the wish of each and every Member of the House.

The launch of the public consultation committee will take place at noon in the AV room. We will arrange a debate on the findings of that report as soon as possible.