Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We congratulate him on that.

Senators Gallagher and Norris raised the important matter of school secretaries. The education committee is debating the issue today. Fórsa is running a good campaign on the role of school secretaries. A regularisation of their position is necessary. That some schools can do A, B and C while others can do X, Y and Z is anomalous and must change. The job of school secretary is one of the most important roles in any school community. In that context, we would support any change that betters the lives of school secretaries.

Senator Gallagher also discussed domestic violence and the need for extra resources. As a more expeditious way of getting a reply, I suggest that he table a Commencement matter on the subject.

Senator Horkan pointed to the need for a debate on illegal dumping. I would be happy to arrange that in the coming weeks. I agree that the suppliers of goods across the entire retail sector must reduce the amount of packaging of which people are obliged to dispose. I would be happy to have that debate as part of the ongoing discussion on waste and recycling.

From my reading of the regulations on the supplementary electoral register to which Senator Leyden referred, this means a change. That is positive. It is important from all of our perspectives that people register and vote. As such, it is important that it be made easier for them to register. My interpretation of the regulations is similar to the Senator's in that people will be able to register online.