Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support Senator Brian Hayes's proposal to change the Order of Business. We urgently need to debate this issue. Irrespective of the motives of the former Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods, we need to find out what lay behind his announcement in relation to funding prior to the general election and his statement yesterday to the effect that he did not know what had happened to the funding since. As Senator O'Toole said, there is a problem regarding accountability for funding for schools' programmes. The way the issue has been handled by the Government is a disgrace. There is also the question of schools which have not been included in the latest list and have not been included in lists of schools' building works this year. Where do they stand and what is being done to address their needs for temporary accommodation, school refurbishment or permanent school buildings? I support Senator Brian Hayes's proposal.