Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like other colleagues, I commend Senator Lawless on his maiden speech. I concur with what my colleague, Senator James Reilly, has said about people having the right to speak whether they use notes or not. There is nothing in Standing Orders to prevent Members from speaking from script once they do not breach the timeline given or their privilege that they have as a Member of this House.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Skills to come here early in the new term to debate the further education and training sector, including Youthreach. The sector is an important part of the education system, yet it continues to be under-funded.

I commend my colleague, Senator Swanick, for his Commencement matter this morning on parking charges at general hospitals and other hospitals. He made an excellent suggestion that should be pursued by the Department of Health, that outpatients should be given a barcode on their appointment card that allows them a certain amount of free parking.