Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to get the day for no homework right so that it has power.

Returning to Senator Hoey, it is an important point. We are seeing the language grow outside Gaeltacht areas but the idea of being able to go to an area where people are shopping and living in the language is lovely.That is a good and very important part of our culture and it ensures the ongoing life of our language. I accept Senator Hoey's three points about the draft Gaeltacht plan, the role of the údarás and the Planning and Development Bill. I will include them in my report back to the Leader's office to see what actions can be taken in respect of them.

Senator Craughwell referred to the new contract that has been awarded for search and rescue missions. He seems to be of the view that there advanced paramedics are not contemplated by the new contract and that there are specifics in that regard. A transfer of undertakings would oblige that whoever is currently employed would be transferred over and would remain in place. I will certainly include a note in my report to the Leader's office regarding Senator Craughwell's view that she should report back to the House. However, I am also of the view that the issue he raised might be better dealt with by way of a Commencement matter.

Senator Currie began our proceedings by welcoming her daughter's class from St. Andrew's National School to the House. I had the honour yesterday of my daughter's class visiting the House. The students from St. Andrew's are present in a room in which decisions are made and where advocacy - by both Government and Opposition Members - occurs on behalf of the people of our country. Every day I am present, I reflect on the fact that it is a most extraordinary honour to be able to do that here in the Seanad. People contact us and we can advocate in respect of things that will change their lives. I saw that with the passing of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill in the Dáil last night. That legislation will come before the Seanad in the coming weeks. It will be life-changing for people. No matter what our guests in the Gallery read in the media or anything like that, they should know that politics is the most noble profession. It is an extraordinary thing to be part of. We come here and see it in action. We are in touch with people in our communities who want us to speak on their behalf and ensure that we have laws, budgets and everything else to needed to makes their lives better. No matter what their politics, people in the Dáil and Seanad work extremely hard to ensure that the lives of people in Ireland are better. It is amazing to be part of that. I hope that we will see all of our guests back here at some point in the future. Perhaps some of them will return as politicians representing their communities. Being involved in politics is an amazing thing to aspire to. When I was a very young child, my mother brought me with her to vote. That inspired me to want to be here someday. I cannot believe that I am here now. Every day I say goodbye to the portraits of the various taoisigh on the landing as I am going out. I say that I am still here and that I managed to survive. In particular, I say bye-bye to Charlie every night. This place is amazing. Our guests are very welcome. We are delighted they are here. As the Seanad is the people's House, this is where they should be.

Senator Currie also expressed the frustration people feel about the bureaucracy in the Department of Education. We all feel her pain, particularly in the context of instances when we advocate in respect of the provision of essential services and school grants. There are so many things involved here. In particular, the Senator referred to organisation, etc., that cannot access the school's facilities because a lease is not in place. I was involved with Fine Gael policy lab that developed the Care of The Child Policy, which refers to school facilities that are not being used. Once school finishes, these buildings are empty. They could be used as community resources. It is clear that in the school to which the Senator referred, this has already occurred. This is a very important matter. I will include in my report that perhaps a letter could be sent by the Leader's office to the Minister for Education. This issue might also be dealt with in the form of a Commencement matter.

We are all meeting representatives from Early Childhood Ireland at the moment. This group emphasis is on the fact that early years educators are vital in our children's lives. It is reasonable that their remuneration would be commensurate with that of primary school teachers. They certainly have the qualifications, and we have long since moved on from the idea of early school educators not being qualified. They are now highly qualified. Many have master's degrees, and they should be remunerated accordingly.