Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I want to state publicly that I admire the spirit of Deputy O'Rourke. It is a pity it was not matched by three or four members of the Fianna Fáil Party who could have stood up for children challenged in this way. This would have sent to the Minister for Education and Science a direction that this type of Thatcher-like approach to the process of education should be more flexible. This is a cause of regret. The Government has disappointed many parents around the country.

We learned today from the national newspapers that almost 300 prisoners who are on the run are either on temporary release or absent from low security prisons. The Ceann Comhairle is thinking of stopping me.

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