Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik mentioned crime rates and burglaries. We have asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to debate the matter.

In regard to moves on collective bargaining, an issue also raised by Senator Higgins in the context of zero-hours contracts, as Senators will know, the Low Pay Commission will report back and I am sure the matter will be addressed by legislation at that time. I will find out when the legislation is due to reach this House.

Senator Quinn mentioned the ability of small and medium-sized businesses to trade online. It is a matter the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Dara Murphy, has raised on several occasions. It is important that small and medium-sized enterprises can trade online.That led to Springboard, the aim of which is to update skills. I refer not only to the skills of workers but also to those of people running businesses. Springboard is certainly a very good project. There is a need to update skills, as mentioned. There are many companies coming to the State, but we just do not have the skills they need. Therefore, upskilling is very important.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan referred to the issues of obesity and participation in sport and exercise. He referred to the importance of physical education, particularly in the senior cycle. Physical education in primary schools was mentioned yesterday. The Senator also emphasised the need to promote capital projects in order that people would have access to sports halls and so on. The Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, is due to come to the House on 17 June for statements on tackling obesity. This will be an opportunity to engage in debate. We will try to get the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House to discuss the other matters the Senator mentioned in respect of physical education.

Senators Terry Leyden and John Kelly referred to Ministers of State taking Commencement debates. I cannot dictate what Minister should come to the House to discuss the issues raised; that is a matter for the Government. There is very little that I can do in this regard. If a Senator does not want the Minister who turns up to take the debate, that Senator should not speak in the debate and should instead wait until another Minister is available. I have no control over who comes to the House to take Commencement debates.