Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Sláintecare report, which is the roadmap for the future of health services in this country, has sections dealing with that issue. It is important that we have someone at the helm who is going to lead and to bring about reform and accountability. To be fair, that is what the Minister for Health is trying to achieve. The job is an important one and I accept the points made by Senator Devine about the criteria for the appointment and how it is done. I am of the view that it must be done in a public and transparent way. I am sorry that the Minister could not be here today to discuss it. I did not see the reply the Senator received to the Commencement matter that she raised but we will have that discussion as part of a general debate on health in the coming weeks.

Senator Lombard raised the issue of the ESB and the lack of power in Carrigaline, Minane Bridge and Kinsale over the bank holiday weekend. This illustrates the need for investment in and the upgrading of the ESB network. I know that the ESB is doing work in some parts of Cork at the moment, but it needs to take note of Senator Lombard's remarks also.

Senator Davitt raised the issue of potential amendments to the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill by the Minister for Education and Skills. My understanding is that the catchment area condition will not be affected. If a pupil is living in the catchment area of a school, he or she will not be affected. The Minister has announced that he is removing the role of religion in school admissions for virtually all primary schools.He will provide that Irish language schools will give priority to Irish-speaking children. He will also provide that a school will be required to open a special class for children with special needs where the NCSE determines it is necessary to do so. We all agree that it is unfair that a child of no religion from a locality is passed over in favour of another of the religion who is living some distance away from the school. We all agree that that should not be the case, as I do as a school teacher. Parents should not feel pressured to have their children baptised to gain access to the local school. That is what we are trying to change. We are not being discriminatory. From my understanding of what the Minister is proposing-----