Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is a serious issue. I ask the Leader to convey our thanks to the authorities in Trinity College and to ask the Railway Procurement Agency to be extraordinarily sensitive architecturally in the movement of the walls and railings around Trinity College and that it be done in good taste and with due respect and dignity. I know we dare not touch Trinity College, but it is taking a broad view on this occasion.

I would like to pick up with the Leader a debate on class size we both began in 1986 and which is still very current. It is appalling to note that 25 years later and after our best efforts, there are still 350,000 primary school children in classes of more than 20 pupils, with many in classes of more than 30 or even 40 pupils. I ask that the Minister for Education and Science come to the House to outline her plans for the implementation of Government policy, as set out in the programme for Government, to reduce to 20 junior classes in primary schools. The teachers are not available to do that at present and it will require a huge increase in the number of teachers, space and definite political will and decisions. The policy won votes, so let us see it being implemented. I would like to hear how the new Minister will do that. It would be a very good project for her to take on board in her first couple of months in office.