Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Zappone's comment on the AV Room and appreciated the intervention of the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The debate underlines the importance of this room. As she rightly pointed out, the legislation has been awaited for a long time and is hugely important. The idea that we would be unable or hindered in our own understanding of it, particularly following her efforts to organise a briefing, and somehow we could not conduct it, seems to me to be down to a lack of common sense. I trust that common sense will prevail.

Last week I raised a matter and I remind the Leader again that we seek a debate with the Minister for Education and Skills on the chief inspector's report. Today, I welcome the Minister's report on nine new schools and their ethos. It is the first time for us to see clear evidence of parents having their say on the choice of ethos for the schools. The variation in ethos shows the diversity that he hopes to introduce and the range of teaching and ethos that would be available in those schools which reflects the children living in those communities. The initiative gives parents strength and provides them with a say and stake in the running of the schools which is welcome.

In the absence of Senator Bacik I welcome an additional 950 bicycles to the streets of Dublin as part of the Dublin Bikes scheme. I know that she would welcome the scheme's extension if she were present. The additional bikes mean that she may have to fight harder for her space on the roads that she cycles along. I welcome the statement made by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oísin Quinn, that he will not accept sponsorship from drink companies for the bike system. Obviously the council needs sponsorship but he said that is important not to link alcohol near the good work done by the National Roads Authority to promote Dublin as a city that welcomes and promotes cycling.