I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 21 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Boyle – the need to help progress major infrastructure projects in the Cork city area, in anticipation of that city being European City of Culture 2005; (2) Deputy Connaughton – the matter of the proposed closure of the organic research farm at Liam Mellows College, Athenry, County Galway with consequent negative effects on the future development of the production of organic food in this country; (3) Deputy Olivia Mitchell – the reports that the IBTS are still inviting blood donations from persons infected with hepatitis C; (4) Deputy Burton – the extent of the financial exposure of the taxpayer as a result of the covenant agreed between the State and religious congregations on 5 June last; (5) Deputy Hogan – the need for the Minister for Education and Science to clarify his position regarding the retention of the education centres at Kilkenny and Carlow; (6) Deputy Deenihan – the lack of funding for new service development in 2003 in County Kerry for children and adults with intellectual disabilities resulting in serious hardship for those affected; and (7) Deputy Seán Ryan – the threat to the future of the School of Music arising from proposals that will effectively mean the end of the junior section of the school and a reduction in the overall enrolment levels by 600.
The matters raised by Deputies Burton, Hogan, Olivia Mitchell and Boyle have been selected for discussion.