Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sentiments expressed by Senators across the House in respect of homelessness. I recall, during my first Christmas as a Member of the Seanad, raising the fact that a homeless individual was sleeping rough across the road from the Leinster House complex. People who could have made a difference were continually entering and leaving the Houses at the time but that gentleman was still sleeping rough. Thankfully, it was not him who passed away.

I join colleagues in extending my sympathy to the family of Mr. Corrie. What happened to him was shocking.

On a more positive note, I welcome the announcement by Michael O'Leary that Ryanair will bring additional passengers through Shannon Airport in 2015. I note Mr. O'Leary's comments that it was as a direct result of the Minister, Deputy Michael Noonan, abolishing the travel tax that Ryanair is in a position to bring 1.6 million additional passengers into this country. That has had a significant impact on the tourism sector.

I agree with the points made by Senator O'Donnell and others regarding external examination of students. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is a very capable and competent Minister. This issue must be negotiated, not on the streets but around a table. In order to protect the integrity of any examination process, whether junior certificate, leaving certificate or otherwise, we cannot have teachers assessing their own students. It does not make sense. I call on all parties involved to sit down together in the coming weeks to work this out. There is goodwill on all sides, including among teachers. They, too, want to get this right.

We can be thankful that there usually is an upside to all such disputes. In this case, the strike allows me to welcome Alison Cotter to the Public Gallery, a young lady who is doing work experience in my office and is on a day off today. I hope she enjoys herself.