Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

We heard many speeches from Government Members but none from any whose constituencies are affected by this. Where is Dublin's north-side equivalent of Hugo Chavez, Deputy Finian McGrath, tonight? Last night in the Chamber he sat on every side. What will the last of the socialists on Dublin's north side do about the schools in his constituency? Deputy Charlie O'Connor gave us his usual fascinating "Thank you very much Mr. Eastwood" speech on the motion but Tallaght needs Mr. Tallaght tonight. The Green Party's alleged next Minister, Deputy Mary White, spoke about the need for a "certain humanity" in a speech given to her by the Department of Education and Science. Where is the Government on this issue?

I submit that teaching matters. I submit we are not spending enough on primary education. I concur with Deputy Leo Varadkar that this is about choices. In the OECD table on education expenditure, we are at the bottom. Ireland spends 4.6% of its GDP on education where other OECD members are way ahead. In this country, 24% of the population is in formal education but we spend little on them. More must be spent. This is a promise that was to be delivered, they told us, before the election——

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