A very interesting report in The Irish Times looks at how our primary school children are doing compared to other children across 60 countries in the developed world. The report concerned the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study which showed that we are doing all right but are not great. We are doing quite well in reading but quite poorly in mathematics and science. One conclusion I have come to is that there is a correlation between how well we do and the amount of time we spend on these subjects. We are spending far less time on mathematics and science compared to our counterparts in other countries. What stunned me was that for the first time Northern Ireland is doing extremely well and has come fifth in the world in this area so it is way past us. It is time we had a debate in the House with the Minister for Education and Science to examine what Northern Ireland is doing better in this area.

I can answer that.

Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

I have the answer if the Senator would like to hear it. We do not need to bring in the Minister.

I would appreciate being allowed to speak.

Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

Senator Healy Eames, without interruption.

There are Senators in the House with the answer so why would we need to bring in the Minister?

I think I can answer the question myself but it is important that we have a debate.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I would like to link this to a debate we also need on third level education and outcomes in this area. Yesterday, I attended an outstanding showcase by the Western Development Commission highlighting the businesses it is supporting. Some of these businesses are coming out of our third level institutions.

The Senator is way over time.

She is not making much sense anyway.

The Minister for Education and Science and the Taoiseach in particular should give each third level institution a job creation target and link that to its funding. I know this would be revolutionary but it can be done.

It would be rubbish.

It would redefine the meaning of education.

Total moonshine.

Many of our third level institutions have the intellectual property but they are not being measured on this. We need to move this intellectual property on to commercialisation and jobs.

It would redefine what we mean by intelligence and education.

It is a worthwhile debate to have. I apologise for all the interruptions and I hope the Leader heard my request.

The Cathaoirleach will note that Rory McIlroy has waived his fee for the Irish Open in Carton House next summer.

A Senator will not point at me and tell me when I can and cannot speak. The Cathaoirleach may do so but a Senator will not point threateningly at me and tell me when I can and cannot speak.

Senator Barrett, without interruption.

Yesterday, Rory McIlroy waived his fee for appearing in the Irish Open next summer. His participation was already a significant boost and his generous gesture is full of the enthusiasm of youth. He deserves our thanks for a major boost to tourism next season.

Hear, hear.

Here is Labour's way or Fianna Fáil's way.

I will appear next Monday night again for everyone.

The Senator was a witness to that marriage of lies and nonsense.

Has Senator Harte a question for the Leader? Senator Harte, without interruption.