Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It should not happen. We can expect that we will more than likely be sitting for five days for the next couple of weeks.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about World AIDS Day and outlined the importance of sexual health education in our schools.

Senator Mooney asked about the bankruptcy Bill. He mentioned that this Government has brought the bankruptcy term down from seven years to three years. It is proposed that it will be decreased further to one year. I do not yet have an idea on the scheduling of the Bill. I hope it will be finished here before the Christmas recess.

Senator Higgins and several other Senators referred to schools admission policies and the enrolment process in schools. That is a large debate. For the reasons I have already outlined, I do not think I can facilitate it before the Christmas recess. We may get into it early in the new year.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the postponement to 2019 of the property tax revaluation. It has been generally welcomed by everyone.

Senator Cullinane spoke about Syria and the global strategy on terrorism. I emphasise that terrorism must be condemned at all possible opportunities. It is a question of how we deal with it and respond to it.

Senator Mullins welcomed the €270 million in EU Structural Funds that have been allocated for peace projects in Northern Ireland. I agree that this type of funding has been very beneficial over the years.

I note Senator Quinn's points in relation to Israel and Palestine. He has raised these issues in the House on several occasions.

Senator Quinn also spoke about obesity and suggested that rather than increasing the price of sugary drinks, we could reduce the level of VAT that applies to non-sugary drinks. I do not know how the Minister for Finance would take to that. It is certainly something that should be considered.

Senators Terry Brennan and Jim D'Arcy mentioned the launch in Drogheda of the Action Plan for Jobs: North East/North West 2015-2017. Senator D'Arcy informed us that it took place at a distillery, of all places. The creation of over 4,000 extra jobs in County Louth means that there has been a similar reduction in the number of people on the live register. This proves that the Government is doing well from the perspective of job creation and the development of an environment in which jobs can be created.

Senator Craughwell asked about the possibility of the issue of homelessness being considered by the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. While this would certainly be a good topic for the committee to consider, time might be against us. We might look at whether it can be done in the new year. We will have an opportunity to have a debate and a discussion on the issue when the House considers the planning and development Bill that will provide for modular housing.

I note the points that were made by Senator Mullen with regard to schools, education and the failures of the Department.However, more schools and extensions are being built than ever before. The Department is living up to its side of the bargain. We will have that debate in the new year.

Senator Bradford referred to the conflict in the Middle East and I have dealt with Senator Heffernan's points on schools policy.