I ask colleagues opposite to bear in mind when we debate Second Stage of the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 today the fact that since the Government took over, 6,000 people per week have given up private health insurance owing to rising costs.

I ask the Leader if the Government actually values children. Does it put them first? Is there any pre-election pledge that Fine Gael or the Labour Party will not break? Is there any item in the programme for Government they will not break either? I ask these questions in the context of the announcement the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, will make today on special needs assistants and resource hours for children with learning disabilities, autism and language disabilities. I remind Government Senators that the cuts began in 2011 when they reduced resource hours and special needs assistants by 12%. Today the Minister will propose that children be given only 75% of the recommended resource and learning supports. He cut the level of support in December's budget. When asked why pupils with disabilities should face cuts, he said everyone needed to go the extra mile. For these children who should be valued, to go the extra mile is more difficult. Children with special needs deserve and require Government support. I ask the Leader why the Government has taken it on itself to bring about a sustained attack on children with special needs and their families. The Government will propose that a child only receive 75% of the recommended hours. It is absolutely disgraceful and I am sure Senators opposite agree. I am certain that not one of them can support the measure with a clear conscience. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, was in the House a couple of weeks ago talking about what she would do in the provision of pre-school and support services for children. I agreed with much of what she had to say. Unfortunately, however, it is a little late. These are things the Government has been doing since 2011. It has been cutting the level of special needs support and resource hours on a sustained basis. Will the Leader tell me if Fine Gael and the Labour Party believe this is acceptable? Given the gravity of what will be announced today, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Education and Skills attend the House to explain why he sees fit to provide that children with special needs who require resource teaching face a 12% year-on-year cut. It is outrageous, irresponsible and disgraceful.

It is welcome that the G8 summit has concluded with a strong statement on tackling tax evasion internationally and on issues of tax, trade and transparency more generally. It is particularly welcome from the perspective of the developing world to see that the eight leading developed countries have signed this declaration. It is also welcome that Ireland received strong, positive publicity, apart from the midges at Glendalough, from the visit of the Obamas. The visit of Michelle Obama and her daughters to Trinity College Dublin was an especial highlight for many of us.

I welcome national bike week and urge colleagues to get on their bikes in the fine weather and more generally. Cyclists have been getting bad press, particularly in the Dáil and recent media commentary. It is important to note that there is generally very little provision for cyclists, not just in Dublin but also on the roads nationally. There are still very low numbers cycling regularly to work and school. While numbers have increased in recent years, they are nowhere near the levels they were at in the 1980s in terms of the proportions of pupils cycling to school and third level students cycling to college. We must increase the numbers cycling as the more cyclists take to the roads, the safer they become for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users. The Dublin Cycling Campaign and others have done great work. We have seen great improvements in cycling infrastructure in Dublin with the introduction of the Dublin bike scheme and the development of the Grand Canal cycle path. There are still many cycle paths and routes which are very inadequate, including nearby at St. Stephen's Green, where cyclists must face into oncoming motor traffic. We need a more joined-up approach to cycling. I, therefore, ask the Leader for a debate on ways to increase the use of bicycles. Perhaps the debate might take place when we come back in September.

I ask for a debate on legislation to tackle the issue of forced marriages in the light of the judgment yesterday in the High Court in which Mr. Justice McMenamin commented on an application in respect of a child in care. He said there was a potential need for specific legislation to deal with the dreadful human rights abuse and abuse of children represented by forced marriage. It has been a huge issue in Britain and elsewhere. Legislation has been introduced in other jurisdictions and, if it is a problem here, we should follow suit to ensure no girl is forced into marriage against her will.