Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I am happy to speak on the amendment and on the important topic of education. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, to the House. I listened carefully to the Minister's contribution and to most of the contributions. We have had an interesting day because the House discussed reform of the Seanad until 6 p.m. and we are now discussing educational reform. I read the motion in the name of all the Senators and our amendment and I would like to discuss the general improvements in education.

I hope Senators do not think I am immodest when I say I have some experience of this issue having served for five years in the Department of Education when times were tough, as Senator O'Toole knows. I am sure the Senator remembers that day in Galway.