Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Today and in recent days, the Taoiseach has advocated consensus and co-operation. The Government will introduce emergency legislation today because of a legal gap that has come to light at relatively short notice. I have pointed out previously and now wish to point out on the Order of Business in respect of legislation; that a primary school exists in north Dublin that is illegal. It is operated by the VEC, for which there is no statutory basis. I have drafted legislation that literally is a two line amendment to the Vocational Education Act 1930 and its related legislation.

There is no point in lecturing this House about co-operation and consensus unless the Government takes sensible ideas that its overworked parliamentary draftsmen cannot produce, for whatever reason. With the consent of all Members, this legislation could be brought in on a Thursday to put on a statutory basis something that will otherwise end up in the courts and will cause taxpayers unnecessary costs because Members did not get their act together. I invite the Taoiseach to consider this legislation. I have written to the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, suggesting that he should take it up as the Labour Party cannot take this in Parliament. It is not worth three hours of Private Members' time because there is no issue in respect of it. It could be moved, subject to the agreement of the Whips, on a day of soft legislation of which there have been many in recent months.

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