We had many contributions. Unfortunately, many Members who raised points have left the Chamber.

Senators Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ivana Bacik, Paschal Mooney, David Cullinane, Michael Mullins, Feargal Quinn, Terry Brennan and Paul Bradford, among others, spoke about global conflict, in particular the conflict in the Middle East, on which Members had various comments to make and opinions to express. The emphasis should be on jaw-jaw rather than war-war. There is a need for statesmen to come forward to ensure there will be a negotiated settlement in Syria and between Israel and Palestine. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, was here recently to discuss these issues. We can ask him to come to the House again, but given that we have an enormous amount of legislation to deal with in the coming weeks, we will take statements on a limited number of topics only.

Senator Ivana Bacik referred to the "RTE Investigates" report on prostitution. Although I did not see the programme, I believe it was very damning. Senator Ivana Bacik invited people to an event in the AV room to discuss the matter.

Senators Ivana Bacik, David Norris and James Heffernan welcomed the decision by the Northern Ireland courts on abortion. Senators Paul Bradford and Rónán Mullen took a very different point of view on it. Many people will have comments to make and opinions to express in the abortion debate. The Taoiseach has indicated that if he is elected, we will have a debate on the issue during the first few months of the next Government and that we will take cognisance of what is discussed at the proposed committee of citizens. There must be extensive discussions between all sides in order that we can reach the proper consensus to deal with this problem which has plagued us for many years.

Senator Ivana Bacik also spoke about the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 which will be brought before us in the coming weeks and which will I hope be completed well before Christmas.

Senator Jillian van Turnhout referred to the difficulties encountered by vulnerable people in accessing services. Although the Order Paper indicates that we will take Committee and Remaining Stages of the International Protection Bill on Thursday, in view of the fact that there will be so many Report Stage amendments, it is optimistic to think we can take Committee and Remaining Stages together. We will, therefore, deal only with Committee Stage this week. Some 60 or 70 amendments have been tabled for discussion on Committee Stage and we will discuss them on Report Stage also.

Senator David Norris referred to the Legal Services Regulation Bill.

He mentioned amendment No. 42, in particular. I think we are over halfway through the Bill because a number of amendments were grouped at an early stage of the debate. We will see how we get on with it today and whether it can be finished. It is the wish of the Minister after that Bill is finished to take Second Stage of the International Protection Bill 2015; therefore, it could be a late night, but it may not be. We will have to see how things go. As I mentioned, a great deal of legislation is due to be brought before the House in the coming weeks. It looks like we will be meeting five days next week and there is a possibility that we will meet five days the following week also. I am putting Members on notice that this could happen. I cannot understand why such a large number of Bills are being brought forward at the last minute. This has been happening year after year. At meetings in the past couple of months we have been begging draftspeople and others for legislation to deal with in the House.

We should teach them a lesson by not ramming Bills through.

It seems to be happening all over again. I cannot understand it.

Some things never change.

It should not happen, but it is more than likely that we will be meeting five days for the next couple of weeks.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about World AIDS Day and outlined the importance of sexual health education in schools.

Senator Paschal Mooney asked about the bankruptcy Bill. He mentioned that the Government had brought the bankruptcy term down from seven years to three. It is proposed to decrease it further to one year. I do not yet have an idea on the scheduling of the Bill, but I hope it will be finished before the Christmas recess.

Senator Lorraine Higgins and several other Senators referred to schools admission policies and the enrolment process in schools. For the reasons outlined, I do not think I will be able to facilitate such a debate before the Christmas recess, but we may get to it early in the new year.

Senator Paul Coghlan welcomed the postponement to 2019 of the property tax revaluation. It has been welcomed by everyone.

Senator David Cullinane spoke about the situation in Syria and the global strategy on terrorism. I emphasise that terrorism must be condemned at every possible opportunity. It is a question of how we deal with and respond to it.

Senator Michael Mullins welcomed the €270 million in EU Structural Funds allocated for peace projects in Northern Ireland. I agree that this funding has been very beneficial during the years.

I note Senator Feargal Quinn's points about Israel and Palestine. He has raised the issu in the House on several occasions. He also spoke about the problem of obesity and suggested that, rather than increasing the price of sugary drinks, we could reduce the level of VAT applied to non-sugary drinks. I do not know how the Minister for Finance would take to that suggestion, but it is certainly something that should be considered.

Senators Terry Brennan and Jim D'Arcy mentioned the launch in Drogheda of the Action Plan for Jobs: North East/North West 2015-2017. Senator Jim D'Arcy informed us that it had taken place at a distillery, of all places. The creation of over 4,000 extra jobs in County Louth means that there has been a similar reduction in the number on the live register. This proves that the Government is doing well from the perspective of job creation and the development of an environment in which jobs can be created.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell asked about the possibility of the issue of homelessness being considered by the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. While it would certainly be a good topic for the committee to consider, time might be against us. We might look at whether it could be done in the new year. We will have an opportunity to have a debate and a discussion on the issue when the House considers the planning and development Bill that will provide for modular housing.

I note the points made by Senator Rónán Mullen about schools, education and the failures of the Department of Education and Skills.

However, more schools and extensions are being built than ever before. The Department is, therefore, living up to its side of the bargain, but we will have that debate in the new year.

Senator Paul Bradford referred to the conflict in the Middle East, while I have dealt with Senator James Heffernan's points about schools policy.