Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Naughton called for a debate on higher education in the format of a public consultation session. Our next public consultation will be about human rights but I will speak with Senator Naughton privately to discuss her ideas in that regard. Perhaps we can organise such a debate later in the year. Senator O'Brien referred to the opening of the heritage centre in Manchester, as did several other Senators, and I am sure everybody here welcomes the Government's support for that development. I would be very surprised if the Government's contribution to heritage projects in Ireland amounted to only €5 million. I will invite the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, to discuss Irish heritage. The Minister was here last week discussing one of the matters raised by Senator O'Brien - namely, our inland waterways. We will ask the Minister to come in to discuss the other matters to which the Senator referred. I do not know whether Senator O'Brien contributed to the debate on inland waterways last week.

Senator Quinn asked when the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, meeting will be held. I note his points made about the courses organised by the Teaching Council and the difficulties for teachers working abroad in attending them. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills.

Senator Mullins raised the conflicts in Syria and the Central African Republic. As he pointed out, we already had a debate on them but a further debate is needed. The use of starvation of people as a weapon of war is despicable. I am sure the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be called before the foreign affairs committee to address these matters.

I agree with Senator Mooney about initiating more legislation in this House. The Government has committed to having 50% of legislation initiated here. I understand there are two Bills to be introduced in the next couple of weeks but they are both commencing in the other House. We will keep this matter under review. He also called for a debate on the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly report on wave energy, which we can consider if we can get a Minister.

Senator Moloney raised the recent survey on neurological conditions by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and called for the implementation of the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health. It should be discussed by the Joint Committee on Health and Children.

I note Senator Heffernan’s points about industrial schools. Some of the points he made I agree with but others may have been a little over the top.

Senator Paul Coghlan raised the recent remarks by Professor Morgan Kelly, as well as the subsequent remarks by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, on the outcome of a banks stress test. The outcome will be important not alone for the banks but the country and small businesses.

Senator Brennan welcomed the allocation of €15 million to refurbish local authority houses that have been closed. This is long overdue and the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, should be complimented on getting that allocation. There are far too many local authority houses boarded up while there are many people looking for such accommodation. Senator Brennan also lauded the rugby career of Brian O’Driscoll.

Senators Conway and Comiskey raised the Wild Atlantic Way and other greenway projects in their counties. They called on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address this matter. I will invite him to the House for an overall debate in tourism in early course.