Senator Marc MacSharry called for a debate on equality in education, particularly teacher promotional prospects. We will try to arrange such a debate.

The funding of local government was also raised. This matter has been the subject of Commencement debates in the past few weeks, with specific reference to Sligo County Council. We will try to get the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to come to the House in early course to address the issue of local government funding.

There was an amendment proposed to the Order of Business, which I do not propose to accept. It requests that we call the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, to the House. He has been here recently to discuss the health service plan and budgets. He is trying to reform the system.

He is not succeeding.

If it was only down to resources, the problem would have been solved many years ago when resources were thrown at it. However, the system got worse. I totally reject Senator Terry Leyden’s assertion that accident and emergency departments throughout the country are mismanaged. I compliment doctors, nurses and all those involved in accident and emergency departments for their efforts and work in very difficult and, sometimes, overcrowded circumstances. They should certainly not be castigated in any way, as was done by the Senator.

The Minister is not doing his job.

The Minister is doing everything possible. The 50 managers of the hospitals were invited to meet him yesterday. Of course, there has been quite an increase in flu-related admissions to hospitals. The Government has allocated €25 million in the national service plan and it is being used as planned in providing additional funding for 50 transitionary care beds in the greater Dublin area, while 65 bedrooms are to come on stream in Mount Carmel Hospital on a phased basis. There are quite a number of other areas where the Minister is working as best as he can to address the problem. The Government regards the whole system of trolley waits as unacceptable and is doing everything possible to address the matter.

Senators Ivana Bacik and Fidelma Healy Eames referred to the Children and Family Relationships Bill. Senator David Norris also referred to quite a number of issues that will come within the remit of that Bill in dealing with children, families, marriage and the issues of dignity and respect, as the Senator mentioned. We will have ample time to discuss the Bill when it is brought before us. As it has to go through the other House first, I am not in a position to say when we will have the Bill in this House, but I assure the House that, with the co-operation of all Members, we will have ample and sufficient time to debate it. The same will be the case with the referendum Bills. We will provide sufficient time to discuss them. There will be no use of the guillotine.

Senators Ivana Bacik and Marie Moloney welcomed the new policy on small schools announced by the Minister for Education and Skills.

I hope it will end the scare tactics and the scaremongering that has continued for quite some time in relation to the Government's supposed intention to close small schools.

Hear, hear.

I am sure the new policy will be welcomed throughout rural Ireland, in particular, where the Government has been criticised for the possible closure of schools. I hope the new policy will nail that lie on the head.

Senator Sean D. Barrett has raised the question of Aer Lingus on a number of occasions in recent weeks. He has said public representatives will not be swayed by the power of public relations companies and will make informed decisions on Aer Lingus. I note the very salient points he has made on the issue, as he did previously at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications.

Senators Catherine Noone, Michael Mullins, John Whelan, Paschal Mooney, Marie Moloney and Martin Conway spoke about the threat by a tobacco company to take legal action against the State with regard to the plain packaging of tobacco. When the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, declared his intentions in this regard and said there would be no going back, I welcomed his proposals. Senator Paschal Mooney has mentioned that this House unanimously supported the Bill that provided for the plain packaging of tobacco. The Seanad has been very firm on the issue. I am sure the other House and the Government will also stand firm and stand up to these threats from the tobacco company.

Senators Terry Leyden and Terry Brennan referred to reducing the speed limit in housing estates. Everybody agrees that something will have to be done. Perhaps the best course of action might involve putting up signs stating the speed limit is 20 km/h, installing speed ramps or including such ramps in the planning conditions for all estates. Such issues will have to be considered. We all agree that it is a question of what we can do and how it could be enforced. Something will certainly have to be done in that regard.

Senator Terry Brennan also complimented the Irish cricket team. He was joined by Senator Martin Conway in complimenting the community on the Loop Head Peninsula on its efforts in promoting Loop Head, which is now in the top 100 green destinations in the world. Senator Martin Conway particularly complimented Councillor Keating on his stewardship in that regard.

Senator Feargal Quinn has pointed out that a Bill on food provenance was introduced last year. My understanding is that this issue was discussed in the European Parliament a couple of weeks ago, but I am not quite sure what has transpired on foot of this. I do not know whether legislation or directives have been introduced. I read that the issue of labelling was discussed in the European Parliament. We will try to get an update on the matter. It has been highlighted that 30% of pig produce which is labelled as "Irish" is not Irish at all. I note Senator Feargal Quinn's points about how the marketplace works and think competition is the key to it. The Senator mentioned a number of issues, including An Post, when he spoke about the need to adapt to the marketplace. We all agree. The Senator is one of the experts when it comes to the marketplace and adapting to it.

Senator John Whelan spoke about the need for public representatives to speak out on issues. He mentioned the threats from the tobacco industry and to Cork County Council from wind energy interests. He said we needed to have a debate on the statutory guidelines for wind farms. We have had a number of debates on the issue. I will ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government whether he is in a position to outline the statutory guidelines. If he is ready to announce them, I will ask him to do so in this House, as requested by the Senator.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell called for a debate on law and order. He outlined the number of burglaries in his area and linked them with the possibility of the closure of Stepaside Garda station. We will invite the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House for a debate on the issue.

Senator Michael Comiskey spoke about coastal erosion in County Sligo, noting that €800,000 in funding had been allocated and spent. He noted the need for increased finance to combat coastal erosion in the area. This is not only a Sligo issue but a national one.

The Senator also mentioned Seán Mac Diarmada's house, which he has mentioned in the House previously, and welcomed the OPW's replacement of the roof. He noted, however, the need for further refurbishment of this very important piece of history.

Senator Diarmuid Wilson spoke about the child care sector and the need for more funding for it. It has been recognised that more funding is necessary. The Government has taken some steps towards reversing the cuts made in this and all other sectors in the past seven or eight years. I take on board the Senator's statements on salaries and wages in the child care sector which, for qualified staff and professionals, are very low. I hope this will be taken into consideration when the Low Pay Commission is up and running. I also note the Senator's point about the refusal of access for some of his constituents. As the Cathaoirleach mentioned, the Senator might raise this issue with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Senators Michael Mullins and Fidelma Healy Eames spoke about students queuing to gain access to pubs in Galway at 10.30 a.m. today. I agree with the Senators that our relationship with alcohol needs to be addressed. The public health implications which have been mentioned by a number of Senators must also be taken into consideration. We will be addressing legislation on alcohol. The Minister has outlined that it is hoped to bring it before this House during this session.

We heard from Senator Martin Conway on what was happening in Loop Head and from Senator Marie Moloney on small schools. That covers most of the items raised.

Senator Marc MacSharry has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, "That a debate with the Minister for Health on the large number of patients on trolleys in hospitals throughout the State be taken today."