Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join other Senators in extending sympathy to the family of Mr. Corrie.

If he had not died where he did, there would not be a word about him. That is the reality. I have been a Member of this House since 2002 and homelessness has been discussed since I first joined, with periodic mentions since then. The facilities do not exist that can give a bed to everybody who needs it but not everybody wants a bed, with some choosing not to have one. I am not saying that was the case with Mr. Corrie. He is being spoken about today, unfortunately, because he died in a certain place. Otherwise, there would not be a word spoken about him. I would welcome a debate on the issue and I hope some good can come from the publicity surrounding his death.

I join other colleagues in calling for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the teachers' strike. The teachers have a very valid argument and a point to make. As I indicated, I accept the Minister has made some concessions in the changes to the junior certificate proposed by the former Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. However, these are not acceptable, even at the level where 40% of the assessment would be done internally. I would welcome the Minister to the House to discuss the matter.