Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)

-----because I am starting off at the very beginning and am talking about the need to ground students and give them every advantage in their educational life. I revert to the point I made, which is money will not be saved by amalgamating schools. The buildings will not be sold as purchasers for them are lacking. However, they will not be abandoned and as heat and light will still be provided, the standing bills will continue. Moreover, as the teachers will continue to teach in the amalgamated schools, I see no reason to go down that road.

I return full circle to the reason I began to speak about small schools, which is my belief that over the years, successive Governments have given proper attention and concern in this regard. There have been great Ministers for Education over the years. As a young person, I remember travelling to by-elections and encountering the late John Wilson. He was a terribly nice man who was really caring in his role, just as is the Minister. We have been fortunate in the Ministers who have served in this capacity over the years and my hope is for the maintenance of the high level and standards we have enjoyed heretofore. This is the reason the results showing a slippage in the rankings of the three universities is of great concern. In passing this Bill and ensuring the establishment of this umbrella organisation that will bring together the other organisations, I hope that by working collectively, not only can further slippage be avoided but the exact opposite will take place and we will rise again. Excellent people work in the universities and throughout the education system and I can see no reason that would prevent Ireland from climbing back up the world rankings to its previous position and beyond.

I look forward to going further into the issue of smaller schools at another time. I hope the issue will be debated again in the Chamber before the summer recess because it is of vital importance. As for ensuring that Ireland remains attractive as a place to study, I refer to the example of Galway, a place with which the Minister is familiar. Given the number of foreign students who study there and the associated economic boost, one certainly does not wish to see a fall in standards or in the number of those who wish to come here to receive an excellent education. I thank the Minister and the Ceann Comhairle.

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