Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This is the Taoiseach's last day in this House in that role and I will have to pay tribute to him in a few minutes. I am sure he did not expect that on his last day as Taoiseach, the front page of a national newspaper would carry the story of a primary school that is forced to hold classes in a converted toilet. This is not the kind of situation our children should face in 2008 as education is fundamental to the kind of society and country we wish to become.

Two years ago the Minister for happiness wrote to the school in question and said work would start with immediate effect. Deputies Allen and Stanton received four derisory four word replies from the Department of Education and Science. The school raised €50,000 and made the site available, yet is on the front page of today's Irish Examiner holding classes in a converted toilet. That this should happen in 2008 is a disgrace. The Minister for happiness, happy children, happy parents and happy teachers, wrote two years ago saying building would begin with immediate effect, just before the general election.

See this speech in context