Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Devine raised the important issue of the findings of the mental health survey which show that there has been an increase in the rates of depression and anxiety experienced and expressed by young people. It is a source of concern. It is significant that 76% of respondents to the survey felt they had a significant adult with whom they could talk.To be fair to the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, we have seen a huge change in the emphasis and accentuation on A Vision for Change in terms of not only funding but the way in which we approach mental health. I would be happy to have a debate on the matter in the coming weeks.

Senator Hackett raised the issue of the rejection of applications under the organic farming scheme. I do not have information on the matter to hand. Again, a Commencement matter might be a more expeditious way of getting a response but I am happy to arrange for a debate on the matter raised by the Senator in due course.

Senator Hopkins also raised the issue of the Loughglynn ambulance service. Again, I do not have information on that matter to hand but I acknowledge it is a matter of concern to Senator Hopkins. A Commencement matter might be a more expeditious way of getting a response.

Senator Humphreys raised the matter of local government. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, are not available today but I would be happy to ask them to come to the House next Tuesday for a debate on local government.

Senators Horkan, Boyhan and Wilson raised the issue of the Moorhead report. There is an obligation on Government to publish that report. All of us accept the importance of local government and the enormous contribution that our elected local government members play in the functioning of local government, the growth in their workload and the increased pressure on all members of local government. There will be no shying away from that on this side of the House. I have asked the Minister to set aside a date in his diary for a debate. I have not yet had a response in regard to the publication of the Moorhead report. It is an important debate that we need to have.

Senator Boyhan raised the specific issue of members of Cork County Council who now are members of Cork City Council. The matter he raised is an important one but it is not one that I believe should be raised on the floor of this Chamber. I am aware of the situation, as Senator Boyhan will know. I hope the Senator will agree with me that there is an obligation on Cork County Council to respond to the members not named by the Senator but referred to in terms of the number of people involved. There is an impasse between the Department and Cork County Council. It is unacceptable that elected members are caught up in this impasse and are being torn between two particular arms of local government, be that the Department or County Hall. I call on the Minister to direct Cork County Council to engage. The impasse is unacceptable. Many of the members in question have given decades of service to their constituents and local government and they have enhanced local government in the city and county of Cork.

Senator Lawlor made reference to the issue of the Irish language in the junior certificate curriculum. The trial sample paper published was agreed by a variety of bodies. We have seen a more organic view being taken of Irish in terms of its usage in the oral part of the examination and class-based assessment. Earlier, we were joking about Peig Sayers. We have moved a long way from the days of Peig to a more grounded version of Irish being taught, where the emphasis is on comhrá - conversation - and the spoken language. It is important that we get this right. I would be happy to have the Minister come to the House for a debate on the matter.