Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

The union has a legitimate right – a duty – to publish lists. I am sure the Minister and the Government would love to divert massive resources to deal with the schools on the list, but it is a matter of making choices. I want to outline a few principles to the House, and the Opposition in particular, about making choices and prioritising.

We must face a few unpalatable facts. It has been grudgingly acknowledged during the debate that overall funding of the Department of Education and Science has increased by 94% between 1997 and 2002, from €2.9 billion to €5.6 billion. It has practically doubled and that is a fact. Even with a global economic slowdown and the impact that has had on the economy, the Government has protected and sheltered education from some of its worst effects. There can be no doubt about the Government's commitment to the improvement of the school accommodation programme. The commitment will be delivered upon.