Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I ask the Minister to hold off for a minute. I know he has talked a good deal about these by-elections, but he has not said anything. He should let other people talk because these are important by-elections. This would provide the first opportunity since the local elections in June for the people to have their say. I have no doubt that the Government is going to get a rough drubbing, as it did in the local elections. In particular there is a strong case to be made to ensure that the Government is not permitted to hold four seats out of the five. Labour Party Councillor Dominic Hannigan has been campaigning intensively for several months and is in a good position, not just to express the frustrations of the people of County Meath at the Government's shortcomings, but to ensure they are met.

Some of the issues need to be recorded here. Meath has some of the largest classroom sizes in the country. According to figures obtained recently, there are 5,715 pupils in Meath schools in classes of more than 30. This is despite promise after promise from the Minister for Education and Science to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio. Meath has suffered from medical card cutbacks. Since the Government came into power in 1997, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats have taken 8,312 medical cards out of the hands of people in need. This is type of issue which needs strong representation. I look forward to Councillor Dominic Hanigan become Deputy Dominic Hannigan in the near future.

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