James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Many schools are rat infested and timber structures are eaten with woodlice. The Government has condemned thousands of children to conditions of this kind. Children are a soft target. If they had votes, they would not be treated in the same way. At the next general elections 12 and 13 year old pupils will remember the way they were deceived by the Government in the run-up to the last general election. It is a sick Government that has allowed this to happen.

A dozen schools in County Longford require major refurbishment. I hope they will not be long fingered by the Government. I support the motion. The Government's decision is a blatant attack on our children and education system. It should call it a day on serving the people.