James Bannon (Fine Gael)

The children were sent home in the interests of safety at 2 p.m. at a time when many of their parents were at work. This is shameful. Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, yet we have substandard school accommodation. The Government must get its act together and refurbish schools.

On the day of the Nice referendum I attended a school and remarked how cold it was. I was told it was not possible to replace a windowpane because the frame would not hold the glass. It is a disgrace that children must attend school in such conditions.