Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and congratulate him on his chairmanship. I have no doubts. He mentioned he is fair and balanced. From my perspective, I am a team player as well. I love the notion that we can do the best required of us in this forum. Turning to my background, I was not a teacher but I have been involved with the boards of management of schools for a long time. I was ten years with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. I have seen the deficit in the educational structure in my county and this is probably replicated around the country. I would like to think that from today perhaps we would have the work programme and it would be categorised into areas of urgent attention, areas that could be prioritised next and then what might be desirable, and perhaps - this is my own take on it - we could draw up a plan and deal with the pressing issues, or try to deal with them, and then work through what I will not call luxury items but definitely what might not be as challenging for ourselves. There are many areas, as was mentioned. I am looking forward to participating. I am a team player and I am never going to be political in my commentary in here. It will be about how we can assist each other in getting the best result from this forum.