Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ulick Burke sympathised with the families in Meath affected by the tragedy. Based on what the Loreto nun I heard said, the Minister for Education and Science has said that her Department will make resources available for counselling. The Senator asked for a review of school transport for the coming school year. He also supports the call for a review of the Disability Bill on which we will have a debate.

Senator Browne supports the call for debate on school transport. He raised the issue of resource teachers and mentioned two schools in a town that got different allocations, with the school with fewer pupils getting more than the larger school. He called for an appeal mechanism. Normally any such system has an appeals mechanism included.

Senator Cummins paid tribute to the emergency services. I agree they displayed a strong and powerful response to the emergency.

With the Cathaoirleach's permission, I propose a minute's silence as a mark of respect.