Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I am not sure if the Leader knows of the whereabouts of the Minister for Education and Science. Time and again we have asked for him to come to the House and to tackle four or five of the major issues that he indicated were his priorities. Nothing has happened about funding for third level education or access for the disadvantaged. The appointment of the teachers he promised a month ago will now not necessarily take place because of difficulties he has discovered. He has also spoken about school league tables. There are four or five areas in which he has flown a kite that has subsequently disappeared. It is very important that the Minister come to the House to clarify the situation as we begin to prepare for a new academic year while many people are left high and dry in terms of knowing the Government's policies.