Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 16 Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell might have believed we were not listening to her but I was actually reading the IMO document submitted by those I met this morning so I could give her a response.

I advise Senator Horkan, the acting leader of Fianna Fáil, that Minister of State, Deputy English, will be here tomorrow to discuss housing. I would certainly be happy to allow for the debate on rents. It is an important issue.

Both Senators Horkan and McFadden raised the view of the National Council for Curriculum Assessment on history. It recommended no change to its optional status. As with the two Senators, I hope the Minister will keep history as a core subject. It is important, notwithstanding the 24 outcomes of learning attached to the junior cycle reform programme, four of which relate history, to acknowledge the importance of history to our curriculum. Obviously there has been a movement towards science, technology, engineering and maths, STEM, subjects in recent years but, having been a teacher, I am very much of the view that history is a critical and pivotal subject on our curriculum. It is about reflecting on, recognising and remembering our past but also about understanding our future and moving forward. Are we seriously to say to young people that, at the ages of ten, 12, 13 or 14, their sense of belonging and place has ended and that they are no longer to be inquisitive about the world? I hope the Minister will retain history as a core subject.

Senators Horkan and Marie-Louise O’Donnell raised the issue of the IMO briefing. I was struck this morning by the presentation we received on the issue of public health. I was reading the report we received because consultant status in community and public health needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. As said to me this morning, it is about the critical voice being heard on status within the health profession. The Senator is correct that people would not be able to answer the question as to what public health is. It is a matter we could have a discussion on. I have asked the Minister for Health to come to the House. The IMO briefing this morning, not only on vacancies but also on progression, public health and the two-tier pay scale, is important.I will be happy to bring the Minister to the House in the coming weeks to have that debate.

Senator Horkan also referred to political donations. In keeping with my good humour since my return, I will not engage in a political row with the Senator or Sinn Féin over who got what from where and how. We have SIPO, an independent body, and it is important that it should do its business and that everybody should comply with the rules and regulations regarding political donations. I will be happy to arrange a debate on that as part of political reform.