Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The Minister for Education and Science can cut classes and services but young children, like those in the Gallery behind us, in many schools across the country are being taught in dilapidated buildings with no gyms or libraries. They are being taught in prefabs and rat-infested classrooms. Is the Government going to preside over this? I want the Minister to come before the House to account for the fact that only €455 million from the €841 million budget has been spent this year. If the tenders are lower, why is that money not allocated to other projects?

Every week in this House and the other House Members seek Adjournment debates, Private Members' motions and parliamentary questions on school building programmes. It is time for transparency and accountability in the Department of Education and Science on schools building projects.

I join Senator Twomey in asking for details of our expenses to be put up on the Oireachtas website. There is no need to hide because of shame; I have no problem with the details of what I get being published. Will the Minister for Finance come before the House to explain what he will do with ministerial expenses? What is the cost of the staff and advisers used by Ministers, their departmental credit cards, the State cars and the Government jet?

We have spoken about transparency and the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has been on the radio today trying to earn kudos for himself. When his Government colleagues were asked if they would publish their expenses, they said the Minister for Finance is introducing a new expenses regime and Ministers will comply with it. If the Government is serious about reforming the Oireachtas expenses, let they who lead show the people and other Members what they cost the taxpayer. They should lead by example and publish their costs in full.

Our expenses have been published through freedom of information requests and I have no difficulty with that. Like Senator Norris, I am not afraid to be held accountable for what I do and spend in my life in politics. Ministers should act similarly.