John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I am glad to hear the Minister of State's upgrade aims are still on target for December this year. Can she, in her discussions with the Department of Transport, reinforce that we want a higher standard for our children and demand that we get the best, not just what passes the tests? The system of reviewing and issuing certificates must be checked as a matter of urgency. Surely it is a given that every school bus should have a fire extinguisher. Can the Department of Education and Science issue a set of rules that go beyond what is in place and pre-empt what might result from the court case on last year's Navan bus crash? That might lead us a certain way and set out better examples. Can the Minister of State pre-empt that and set out certain rules and standards, the least being that the bus driver is told what is on the bus to protect young people and required to check it every few days, separate to any certificate of roadworthiness?

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