I wish to draw attention to the comments made by Senator Quinn about fracking. Not for the first time Senator Quinn has espoused the concept of fracking. He is fully entitled to his opinion, which I totally respect. However, I am unsure whether the research in America to which he referred relates to what is going on or what might happen in my part of the country, the Lough Allen basin, where exploratory licences have been granted.

There is a very real danger, and total uncertainty, regarding what effects fracking can have on groundwater. As Senator Quinn will know, the area of Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh and Sligo relies heavily on its tourism economy in the absence of an industrialised environment. He should be somewhat cautious in embracing this new technology without ensuring that all of the facts are laid out. That is what I await and I applaud the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, for having stayed the hand of the companies involved. Incidentally, County Clare is involved in this as well as an exploratory licence has been granted. The Minister has stalled the licence applications until such time as the Environmental Protection Agency produces a well researched report. That could take up to 18 months if the American experience is indicative, as the US Environmental Protection Agency has taken almost five years to reach conclusions about this very controversial concept. However, I fully agree with the Senator that there is a need to examine alternative forms of energy. I simply caution against embracing the concept of hydraulic fracturing at a time when there is still great uncertainty about it.

Finally, there is a little sub-plot under way in the pursuit of the leadership of the Labour Party, which is a very important role.

Sounds interesting.

We are not discussing the leadership of the Labour Party on the Order of Business.

I am not discussing it. The reason I raise it is for my question to the Leader. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, who is a contender for the leadership, has stated that taking €2 billion out of the economy in the October budget is both unnecessary and unhelpful. This question was put to the Taoiseach yesterday and he demurred somewhat and said he would have to await the economic indicators. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and I wish him well in his recovery, also demurred today-----

The Senator is way over time.

-----regarding the €2 billion that might be taken out of the economy, yet an EU Commission official has said, a little like Mr. John Bruton, that we could continue to have austerity for forever and a day. I believe there is a need to have statements on the economy so we can get a clearer picture, even at this early stage of the budgetary negotiations which the Minister, Deputy Noonan, has indicated have already started. This House should debate the state of the Irish economy and get to the truth of what exactly will happen. The people have already spoken in the recent election. They will not take any more austerity.

The Senator is way over time. I call Senator Noone.

The question of where the money will come from remains. A debate on the state of the economy would be of assistance in that regard.

I would favour a debate on the fracking issue raised by Senator Quinn so all sides of the issue could be discussed with the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, including the different research that has been carried out in America and elsewhere, with a view to getting all the issues on the table. I agree with Senator Quinn that there is a great deal of scaremongering on this issue. If the Americans have been investigating it for five years, we should look at what their research has brought to light. A debate on the issue in this House would be very useful.

I have been looking into something recently which I did not believe could be true, but it is. There is largely a ban in place on running in many of our schools. This relates to the child obesity issue which I have raised on numerous occasions. One in four Irish children are now either overweight or obese. Poor diets and those with high fat and high sugar content are a major factor, but sedentary lifestyles are also a huge factor. The problem has escalated to such a degree that Temple Street Hospital, as I heard yesterday, has had to bring in new, larger theatre tables to cater for overweight or obese children. If it were not so sad, the idea would be almost funny.

It is a huge issue. Last year, the EU information network found that Irish primary schools offered fewer hours of physical education, PE, than schools in any other EU member state. Break time is a time when children should be allowed to run, within reason.

The idea that they are being prevented from doing so in certain schools is somewhat mind-blowing. The National Parents Council has a great deal to say on the matter. While safety issues would be at play-----

Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?

Yes, I am for ever seeking a debate on it.

The Leader should be able to make time available for a such debate.