Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Exactly. Senator Mulherin raised the issue of An Post savings, the NTMA and the protection of people. That is a matter of serious importance and I would be happy for the Minister to come to the House to discuss it.

Senator Gavan raised the issue of the baptism barrier and the response of the Minister for Education and Skills to the committee this morning on the matter. He gave a lengthy reply to Senator Warfield, making the point that he believes it is unfair that parents who might not otherwise do so feel pressure to baptise children in order to gain admission to their local schools. At the end of his reply, as the Senator says, the Minister indicated that he will not make a change but that he has not had a chance to consider the report in detail. He said he has reviewed the conclusions and recommendations. The committee has recommended that the relevant legislation, the Equal Status Act 2000, be amended to the effect that no child will be denied admission to a State-funded school. However, the Minister is not going to change that. He did say, however, that he is committed to reforming the role that religions play in the school admissions system. That is positive. I hear the Senator's words and I thank the committee for its report. We have a bit of work to do yet and it is important to engage with Equate Ireland and other groups. For each one who is for what the Senator wants to achieve, there is another who is against it. It is important to have that debate and to see some action.

Senator Ned O'Sullivan mentioned Parkinson's disease and the need for GP, home help and community interventions and supports. The Senator is right, supports are needed. There are discrepancies in supporting many illnesses. He is right to highlight it and I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House.

Senator Paddy Burke mentioned the new Minister of State with responsibility for tourism. I congratulate Deputy Griffin on his appointment. Senator Burke is right that we have a tourism product which we must continue to market around the world, particularly because there has been a decline in the number of visitors from the UK since the Brexit referendum. The Senator mentioned the competitive nature of our golf tourism product. I will be happy to invite the Minister of State to the House.

Senator Paul Daly continues the great Fianna Fáil line that we should have a Minister for Brexit. Senator Davitt was very eloquent yesterday in asking that Deputy Enda Kenny be appointed Minister for Brexit. The Taoiseach has given the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, the task of being the lead Brexit Minister.