Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

One thing we all agreed this morning was that the Taoiseach would take questions after tomorrow's statements on the European Council. I ask him to confirm to the House that he will take questions afterwards, because this is a momentous summit with far-reaching implications for the country and for Europe. I take it that the format will be statements followed by questions to the Taoiseach from leaders.

With regard to forthcoming legislation, in the context of the Education Act 1998 and circulars emanating from this Act, my question is about the decision to devastate the guidance counselling service by bringing it within quota in terms of the pupil-teacher ratio at second level. Up to 800 posts will be suppressed in second-level schools as a result. Even more worryingly, however, an entire edifice that provides counselling and career guidance to thousands and thousands of students across the country will be damaged. Given the obligation in the Education Act that such a service must be provided, when will secondary legislation giving guidance to second-level principals be issued by the Department of Education and Skills to ensure this recent decision is implemented while maintaining the primary obligation in the Education Act? New circulars will have to issue because of the budgetary decision about career guidance and counselling.

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