Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members for their contributions to the Order of Business. I noted from Senator Noone that in Taiwan today love symbols have been put up on traffic lights. Perhaps we could start doing that around here as well.

I join with Senator Ardagh in agreeing with the need for all of us, as citizens of a republic and as residents of communities, to make sure that no person is isolated or feeling lonely today. The taskforce she has called for is a good idea. Perhaps we do not need a taskforce; it is a matter of all of us extending the hand of friendship and checking in on neighbours to make sure everything is okay. It is an important suggestion.

The issue of Educate Together schools, raised by Senators Ó Riordán and Ardagh, is important. I am not familiar with the Canal Way Educate Together school. The context is that the Government has committed, as per the programme for Government commitment, to reach 400 multi-denominational schools by 2030. The world is changing. It is ironic that today is Ash Wednesday, and that those who are from a faith community can begin a spiritual journey today. As a society, as a Government and a State, we have to recognise that we are in a changing world and that families should be able to have choice in the education system. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, is committed to this, and has announced plans to accelerate the provision of multi-denominational schools. We want to learn from the previous announcement under former Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, where ten schools transferred to multi-denominational patronage. On the five schools that Senator Ó Riordán referenced yesterday and again today, and which Senator Ardagh also mentioned, there is a need to ensure that the correct process is engaged in. It is important that certainty is provided to the teaching staff and parents, and that we can offer choice to all people who want to go to Educate Together schools. I am a firm advocate and strong believer in Educate Together. I see such schools in my own city of Cork, where they are providing tremendous education to young people, in a different model from what we were used to as students and teachers. It works. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and deliver more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools. That is what the Minister is going to do. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, will come to the House in the coming weeks. He is committed to it. He is finalising plans with education and training boards, ETBs, to commence surveys of preschool parents. It is fair to say that both this Government and the last Government have been committed to delivering on the Educate Together model.

The subject of Brexit is not going to go away. It is a very important topic. Senator Norris posed a very good, even jocose, question today, asking if it will ever even happen. That is a question that the British Government-----