Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Leader will respond to the Senator's comments about hospital waiting lists. I have asked previously and I ask again for a debate in the new year on the children's hospital and on the important and long overdue plans the Government has to establish a new children's hospital. The conditions and the facilities in Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals have been criticised in the past and during boom times. It is most unfortunate that previous governments did not do something to alleviate the conditions there and to ensure that better structures were put in place. I know this Government is committed to that but I ask the Leader for a debate on that issue and on progress with the establishment of the new children's hospital.

I take the opportunity to acknowledge the death last week of Nelson Mandela. As we are all aware the memorial service is taking place in South Africa today. The death of this incredible man, a Nobel Prize winner and former President of South Africa, has had an immense impact internationally and also in Ireland. Many tributes have been paid since his death. The other House is paying its tributes to him this afternoon and we might, at some point, have the opportunity to do that in a more formal manner.

I wish to mark today as international human rights day and commend Dublin City Council for an initiative it has taken in unveiling a monument to another great peacemaker and statesman, Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic. The new commemorative piece, a table and chairs, in memory of Vaclav Haval has been established in St. Patrick's Park, Dublin 8. It was unveiled by the Lord Mayor, Oisín Quinn. The initiative was taken by Mr. Bill Shipsey, SC, from the Bar Council of Ireland, and private funding was raised. Dublin is the second city, after Washington DC, to establish a monument to Havel and Barcelona will follow suit in the new year. It is lovely to commemorate a peacemaker of this stature.

I ask the Leader for a debate on the university panel reform, proposed by the Taoiseach. We are likely to have such a debate in the new year but I want to ensure we have it to see what shape the new expanded graduate panel will take.

In that context, I welcome to the Visitors' Gallery Dr. Peadar Ó Mórdha, who is very active in the London branch of the Trinity College Dublin Association, and his distinguished guest, Sir Gavyn Arthur, a High Court judge in London.