Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik called for a debate on school patronage and for the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House on the matter. Senator Naughton asked about the implications of the O’Keeffe judgment and for the Minister to debate this matter too. We will have to allow him some time to digest the implications of the judgment but a debate can be arranged.

The decisions of the Committee of Public Accounts are a matter for the committee. I do not intend to comment on that.

Senators Hayden and Noone raised the longitudinal study in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area. Senator Hayden called for a further debate on the issue of the ageing population and the problems outlined in the report. Senator Noone raised the issue of obesity and the need for more dietary education in schools. These are valid points which should be addressed again in the House.

Senator Cullinane raised the issue of staffing at Irish Water. As I said yesterday, he should read what was said on Committee and Report Stages of the water services legislation. Many Members asked for staff from the water services divisions of local authorities to be recruited and the service agreements extended.

Senator Colm Burke complimented the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, on four job announcements in Cork this week. This is wonderful for the people of Cork. Of course, many other areas are jealous of the number of jobs going to Cork but we really should not be.