Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I understand the urgency with which the Government is bringing forward these two legislative measures. One in particular about which there has been a degree of discussion is the issue of compellability and changing the 1997 Act to allow judges to be compelled to attend a committee of the House to give evidence. While it is important the Bill is passed tomorrow, I ask the Leader to ensure it is published and given to Members as soon as possible. It is a relatively short Bill, but it is important that we receive it because it is unusual for Second, Committee and Report Stages to be taken in one fell swoop. It is important that the Bill is published so that Members on all sides will have a chance to see it as soon as possible.

Last week a very positive decision was taken on the publication of whole school assessment reports, which I welcome. Will the Leader provide time, at the earliest possible juncture, to allow the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to deal with that issue and the issue of the publication of examination results as a means of giving full information to parents? For too long in our education system parents have been left in the dark, talked down to and had insufficient rights. The publication of whole school assessments will not only help parents, teachers and school management in terms of the assessment of that school by an independent authority, but it will also help teachers. Teachers have nothing to be frightened about when it comes to the publication of these reports because it highlights the lack of resources that need to be put in place in our primary and secondary school system. I welcome the publication of these reports. This is a good day for accountability in our education system. We need a very strong voice for parents in the school system and we must ensure their voice is heard.

The Minister for Education and Science should come to the House, respond to this issue and set out his views concerning the other matter at the earliest possible time. I ask the Leader to provide time for this as soon as possible.